Copper Prices Hit Record High on AI Demand and Trade Fears
Copper prices have reached a record high near $14,780 per ton, driven by strong demand from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and shifting global inventories.
The price surge reflects a broader shift in commodities markets, where infrastructure demand tied to AI expansion and energy transition strains a tight mining supply chain.
Regional buying in the U.S. has lifted international copper prices by over 10% since July, with buyers stockpiling inventories ahead of possible trade barriers.
The LME contract traded near $14,680 per ton on Wednesday, representing a gain of nearly 50% from roughly $9,800 a ton in September 2025.
Experts say copper is becoming a foundational industrial material in the new-energy era, comparable to oil's role in the combustion age.