Middle East Conflict Disrupts Aluminum and Copper Markets, Impacting Global Trade
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has significantly disrupted global trade, particularly affecting the aluminum and copper markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint, has seen missile and drone strikes on major aluminum producers like Emirates Global Aluminum and Aluminium Bahrain, leading to a shutdown of operations. This has resulted in approximately 3 million tons of annual capacity being offline, nearly half of the Middle Eastern output. The closure of the Strait is also choking off the flow of alumina, essential for aluminum smelting, causing prices on the London Metal Exchange to rise sharply. Meanwhile, copper faces a different challenge. While aluminum is experiencing a supply-driven rally, copper is at risk due to potential demand disruptions. Analysts warn that if oil prices exceed $150 per barrel, it could significantly slow global growth, reducing industrial demand for copper. This could shift the copper market from a deficit to a surplus, affecting prices and mining companies' ... 
