The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange was also 0.6 percent firmer at 47,070 yuan ($6,863) a tonne on Tuesday as the dollar struggled amid concerns of US protectionism under the newly-formed administration of President Donald Trump. SHFE zinc rose 0.3 percent 22,695 yuan tonne. ShFE aluminium added 0.18 percent to 13,725 yuan a tonne.
Offsetting expectations of rising copper prices is the Lunar New Year holiday, starting Jan. 27, which is expected to subdue metals demand this month as Chinese factories close, sometimes for two to three weeks.