METALS-London copper firms as dollar slips; looming US tariffs cap gains

NEW DELHI, March 24 (Reuters) - Copper prices in London rose on Monday, tracking some weakness in the dollar, although concerns over the looming U.S. tariffs checked gains.

The benchmark three-month copper CMCU3 on the London Metals Exchange (LME) added 1.3% to $9,988 a metric ton as of 0715 GMT.

The U.S. dollar hovered just below a three-week high versus major peers as traders cautiously awaited clarity on U.S. President Donald Trump's next round of tariffs on April 2, when the White House will announce reciprocal levies on many countries. USD/

A weaker U.S. currency makes dollar-priced metals cheaper for buyers using other currencies.

"Expectations are rising that President Trump's broad retaliatory tariffs due to come into effect on April 2 will hurt global economic growth," ANZ Research said.

"We don't expect global growth to lurch lower, but it is likely to be softer. We expect the slowdown to be led by the U.S. and parts of Asia."

Among other metals, LME aluminium CMAL3 rose 0.4% to $2,632.5 a ton, lead CMPB3 gained 1.5% at $2,046.5, zinc added 0.3% to $2,938, tin CMSN3 advanced 0.3% to $34,600 and nickel CMNI3 climbed 0.95% to $16,210 a ton.

SHFE copper SCFcv1 was up 0.9% to 81,840 yuan ($11,277.39) a ton, aluminium SAFcv1 eased 0.2% to 20,750 yuan a ton, zinc SZNcv1 rose 1.6% to 24,200 yuan, lead SPBcv1 gained 1.1% at 17,670 yuan and nickel SNIcv1 added 0.1% to 129,950 yuan. Tin SSNcv1 eased 0.8% to 276,620 yuan.

($1 = 7.2570 Chinese yuan)

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