United States copper imports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached a record 53,290 tonnes in July 2026 as buyers sought cheaper supplies amid concerns over a potential tariff.
The DRC, the world’s second-largest copper producer, accounted for 23.9 per cent of total US imports, which exceeded 220,000 tonnes for the first time. This marked a significant rise from the less than 32,000 tonnes the US imported from the DRC throughout 2024.
Industry analysts attributed the surge to increased Congolese production and competitive pricing. Although no DRC copper brands are approved for delivery on the US COMEX exchange, buyers reportedly purchased the metal based on London Metal Exchange prices, with discounts ranging from $550 to $800 per tonne to cover freight costs.
Improved copper quality has also strengthened acceptance among US manufacturers, including copper rod mills and tube producers. Meanwhile, China’s copper imports from the DRC declined by 4.3 per cent during the first seven months of 2026, although the country’s share of the Chinese market rose by five percentage points to 44.7 per cent.
China imported 95,778 tonnes from the DRC in July 2026, representing a 39.4 per cent market share—the lowest since October 2025. Despite the decline, the DRC remained China’s leading copper supplier.