On April 9, global commodity metal markets experienced significant volatility as a result of Middle East geopolitical tensions. Copper was trading at approximately $12,709 per tonne, driven by demand from AI data centers and the electric vehicle sector . Aluminium had surged over 25%, trading in the range of $3,450–$3,478 per tonne, due to supply chain disruptions and the closure of Middle Eastern shipping routes . Tin prices hit a record high above $51,000 per tonne, supported by semiconductor demand and Indonesia's crackdown on illegal mining . Analysts noted that the Asia-Pacific region remains the hub of industrial metal production and consumption, with China playing a key role in strategic metals . The outlook for 2026 is one of volatility and new opportunities, particularly for metals tied to clean energy and AI technologies .