Copper futures settled almost flat on Friday, closer to an all-time high reached last May, amid fears of potential US tariffs on copper imports. About a month ago, US President Donald Trump ordered a probe into potential new tariffs on copper imports with the aim to rebuild US production of the metal. Meanwhile copper prices are also facing pressure due to a strong American currency against its major peers overseas.
Copper futures for May delivery marginally rose $0.0015 to settle at $5.1135 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was down by 0.82 percent at $9,855.50 a ton.