During the week concluding on January 10, there was a significant increase in the cost of Copper Rod in both China and the USA. The price hike in China was attributed to a shortage of high-standard copper, leading to increased premiums, although the sales volume was minimal. Conversely, in the USA, Copper Rod prices experienced a sharp escalation as investors accumulated stocks in anticipation of President Trump's forthcoming announcement on universal import tariffs, which resulted in elevated premiums.

In first half of January, the price of Copper Rod in China saw a 2.5% rise. This was accompanied by a slight improvement in the availability of secondary copper raw materials, enabling the majority of secondary Copper Rod factories to sustain uninterrupted production. Consequently, there was a week-over-week escalation in the operational rate of secondary Copper Rod production.

Even though end-user demand for copper was weak, traders increased their purchasing activity. They were motivated by the opportunity to profit from arbitrage and the expectation that climbing copper prices would allow them to sell their inventory later at a higher price. This speculative behavior drove a surge in order volumes. Additionally, various areas have been instructed by local authorities to enforce a uniform tax rate of 2% for businesses, which has maintained a moderate level of stockpiling ahead of the holiday season.

With the arrival of Chinese New Year, numerous secondary Copper Rod manufacturers are gearing up to cease operations and cut back on production. It is anticipated that these facilities will halt all activities in the lead-up to the holiday. Consequently, inventories have fallen, and despite a significant increase in spot premiums, the scarcity of supply continues to drive Copper Rod prices upward.

In the United States, there has been a significant 4% surge in Copper Rod prices. With the upcoming inauguration of President Trump, there's been a swift escalation in copper prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX), surpassing even the rates at the London Metal Exchange (LME) and thus commanding a substantial premium. Following President Trump's declaration to implement a universal import tariff, there's been a notable uptick in investor activity, as they accumulate more stock in anticipation of a potential rise in copper prices within the U.S. market.

Copper Rod prices in the US are projected to rise due to increased demand driven by economic growth, potential interest rate cuts, and robust sectors like electric vehicles and data centers. A stable US economy and policy changes could further influence the market. However, concerns over potential tariffs between the US and China are deterring Chinese buyers from acquiring US scrap imports, which could impact the market.