London copper rises, firmer dollar checks gains

NEW DELHI, March 25 (Reuters) - Copper prices in London edged higher on Tuesday, as markets priced in increased supplies of the industrial metal moving to the U.S. amid concerns over potential tariffs, but a stronger dollar checked gains.

The benchmark three-month copper CMCU3 on the London Metals Exchange (LME) added 0.2% to $9,975.5 a metric ton as of 0225 GMT.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a probe into potential new tariffs on copper imports to rebuild U.S. production of a metal critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, the power grid and many consumer goods.

"Markets look set to nervously monitor for any copper tariff developments over the coming weeks as refined metal heads for the U.S.," Benchmark Mineral Intelligence said.

"The quarterly China Smelters Purchase Team (CSPT) meeting, which is scheduled to take place next Monday, will be closely watched also, especially in regard to the buying floor for Q2 and any potential coordinated production cutbacks."

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar hit a three-week high against the yen on the day and was firm across the board given a strong U.S. services data and cautious optimism on the tariff front. USD/

A stronger U.S. currency makes dollar-priced metals more expensive for buyers using other currencies.

Among other metals, LME aluminium CMAL3 eased 0.02% to $2,615 a ton, lead CMPB3 gained 0.5% at $2,047, zinc added 0.3% to $2,955.5, tin CMSN3 advanced 0.3% to $34,450 and nickel CMNI3 climbed 0.4% to $16,070 a ton.

SHFE copper SCFcv1 jumped 0.9% to 81,700 yuan ($11,248.95) a ton, SHFE aluminium SAFcv1 eased 0.1% to 20,680 yuan a ton, zinc SZNcv1 rose 0.3% to 24,125 yuan, lead SPBcv1 dropped 0.4% at 17,505 yuan, nickel SNIcv1 lost 0.3% to 129,160 yuan and tin SSNcv1 slipped 0.8% to 273,980 yuan.

($1 = 7.2629 Chinese yuan)