ASIAN MORNING BRIEF 03/04: Comex copper prices rise; China imposes tariffs vs US ali scrap products; silicon export market weakens

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Tuesday April 3.

Comex copper prices traded at a one-week high on Monday morning in the United States following a wave of positive Chinese manufacturing data. Read more in our live futures report.

The London Metal Exchange was closed on April 2 for Easter Monday.

China has dealt a serious blow to the US aluminium scrap industry, officially slapping a blanket 25% tariff on recycled aluminium from the nation effective April 2.

The Chinese silicon export market weakened further this past week, with exporters again lowering their quotes to attract business due to continued sluggish demand.

Copper stocks in the Shanghai-bonded zone rose due to a closed import arbitrage while nickel and zinc stocks fell in March, according to Metal Bulletin’s assessments.

In ferrous markets, an ArcelorMittal subsidiary has submitted an offer in its joint rebid for insolvent Indian steel producer Essar Steel India.

US merchant bar prices rose after domestic mill hikes took effect, with few discounts to be found, according to market participants.

China’s hot-rolled coil prices gained some strength on Monday, although trading thinned after the paper market lost steam during the day.

East China’s Shagang has reduced its long steel product prices for shipment in early April in the wake of a weakening spot market.

Canada’s Quebec Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Champion Iron Ltd, said last week that it it will ship 200,000 wet metric tons of high-grade 66% iron content concentrate to Asia.

What to read next
The publication of Fastmarkets’ assessments of the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, and the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, cif Shanghai for Tuesday May 26 were delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following prices were affected:MB-NI-0143 Nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, […]
Copper producers, including Atlas Mining, reported higher earnings in the first quarter of 2026 on the back of elevated copper prices, while concentrate output declined at several operations in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and the Philippines due to lower ore grades and disruptions, according to company results reviewed by Fastmarkets.
The amendment follows the decision made on May 14, after a consultation period for the proposed changes which took place between April 3 and May 11. The changes were first proposed in a pricing note published on April 3.  The purpose of the changes is to align the publication times to the activity in the […]
The proposal follows Fastmarkets’ observations that the commodity sees inactive spot liquidity and low volatility in prices. The proposed new specifications for the prices are as follows, with the amendments in italics: MB-NI-0246 Nickel sulfate, cif Japan and Korea, $/tonneQuality: Accepted by buyer for use in battery applications with chemical composition: Ni content, base 22.3% […]
Based on preliminary market feedback, market participants noted that smaller-sized spot market transactions may be skewed and not reflective of the wider market. The aluminium P1020A(MJP), cif Japan, assessment specification which has a minimum tonnage of 100 tonnes will be amended to 500 tonnes after the proposed change. The proposed new specifications are as follows, […]
Fastmarkets consulted the market on the proposed change between April 3 and May 11, 2026. Some feedback was received regarding the publication times of nickel pig iron and laterite ore prices. Fastmarkets will adjust the initially proposed publication times accordingly and proceed with the changes. This decision was first proposed in a methodology note published […]