Industrial Metals Prices Plunge as Tariff Uncertainty Grips Global Markets

Global commodity markets experienced significant volatility Monday as confusion over US tariff implementation created uncertainty about future trade flows. Copper prices fell 0.6% to $9,808 per tonne, while aluminum declined 1.1% to $2,561 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange.
The metal price declines reflect investor concerns about potential disruptions to global supply chains and reduced demand from tariff-affected industries. All major metals traded lower as the Trump administration’s mixed messaging created uncertainty about the actual timeline for new trade measures.
Asian equity markets also showed nervousness, with Japan’s Nikkei losing 0.3% and South Korean stocks falling 0.7%. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index declined 0.1% as investors assessed the potential impact of delayed but still looming tariff increases on regional trade.
European markets showed more mixed responses, with the German Dax rising 0.3% while the UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.3%. The varied European response reflects different national exposures to US trade policy and ongoing negotiations between the EU and the Trump administration.