ASIAN MORNING BRIEF 19/09: Copper prices rise on LME, Comex; Russia’s Industrial Metallurgical Holding starts rebar production at Tula Steel; Brazil flat steel producers announce October price hike

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday September 19.

Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange closed 2% higher on Tuesday September 18, with the base metals complex shrugging off the escalating trade dispute between the United States and China. Read more in our live futures report.

Here are how prices looked at the close of trading:

Comex copper prices rebounded in morning trading in the US even after President Donald Trump applied more tariffs on Chinese goods, further raising tensions between the two nations.

Russia’s Industrial Metallurgical Holding began producing steel rebar at its new Tula-Steel subsidiary facility last week.

Brazilian flat steel producers have announced another price increase to be imposed on distributors and industrial clients in October and are also negotiating price increases for annual contracts with automakers, according to national flat steel association Inda.

European domestic stainless steel prices are likely to stabilize as the European Union safeguard quota for stainless steel imports is taken up, according to Roeland Baan, chief executive officer of Finnish stainless steelmaker Outokumpu.

Brazilian flat steel sales volumes declined by 0.8% year on year in August due to the weak performance of the country’s economy, according to national flat steel association Inda.

Most flat steel import prices in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been stable over the past week, although demand increased slightly in the United Arab Emirates, sources told Metal Bulletin.

Physical iron ore was trading at higher prices, following on from a much stronger performance in the paper market.

What to read next
LME Week 2025 arrives amid supply disruptions, evolving carbon policies and tariff tensions that continue to reshape the copper, aluminium and zinc markets.
Teck Resources has again reduced its copper output forecasts through 2028 as production challenges persist at its Quebrada Blanca mine in Chile, reflecting a broader slowdown across the global copper industry. The company’s revised targets underline tightening supply conditions for the red metal.
Abu Dhabi’s IRH Trading is accelerating its copper trading expansion, targeting 1 million tonnes per year by 2030. Backed by strategic mining assets in Africa and sovereign capital, the company aims to strengthen its global presence in metals trading while fostering long-term partnerships.
After a consultation period, Fastmarkets will clarify and amend some of the specifications for MB-ZN-0005 Zinc SHG min 99.995% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-PB-0006 Lead 99.97% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-SN-0011 Tin grade A min 99.85% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, $/tonne; MB-NI-0240 Nickel 4x4 cathode premium, delivered Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-NI-0241 Nickel briquette premium, delivered Midwest US, US cents/lb; and the corresponding all-in prices for all of these, including the quality, unit and location.
Fastmarkets will discontinue its assessment of the MB-CU-0410 copper rod premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents per lb, from November 6. After a consultation period, which ended on Wednesday October 8, Fastmarkets will discontinue the premium due to low market liquidity and a lack of demand. Fastmarkets received only neutral or indifferent feedback during the consultation […]
Vitol is expanding its presence in copper trading with senior hires and a cautious, long-term strategy. The move highlights the growing role of metals in energy traders’ portfolios as markets shift post-Ukraine conflict.