The United States is increasingly turning to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for copper, with imports from the African mineral powerhouse hitting a record 53,290 tonnes in July as Washington seeks to secure critical mineral supplies and reduce its exposure to China.
The record shipment gave the DRC a 23.9% share of total US copper imports in July, when overall American imports exceeded 220,000 tonnes for the first time. The jump is significant from 2024, when the US imported less than 32,000 tonnes from Congo for the entire year.
The increase is partly driven by price. Congolese copper is not approved for delivery against COMEX contracts, but American industrial buyers can purchase it on a London Metal Exchange basis.
Reuters reported that Congo copper has typically been sold at discounts of $550 to $800 per tonne, making it attractive to US copper rod mills and tube manufacturers. Improving quality and expectations of potential US tariffs have also encouraged buyers to secure supply.
Trump’s minerals strategy
