Nickel on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose as much as 1.6% to $15,910 a tonne in early Asian trading, surpassing the tin contract, which hit a fresh three-year low of $15,765 a tonne.
If nickel closes above tin on the LME, it would be the first time since Sept. 15, 2010, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.
Nickel has been a rising star in the base metals complex, soaring nearly 50% so far this year on the LME, boosted by worries of supply disruption, solid demand and technical trading.
LME tin, the worst performer among all base metals, has lost 19% so far this year due to weak demand. China's tin smelters recently cut production due to sluggish sales, low processing fees and reduced availability of ore.
"I have never seen this during my career. Finally. But it is by tin price going down. It should be by nickel prices going up," said Yim Suk Jae, a manager at STX Corp, which handles supply from the Ambatovy nickel and cobalt project.
FUNDAMENTALS
* PRICES: LME copper rose 0.1%, aluminium fell 0.3%, zinc decreased 0.3% and lead edged up 0.2%. Shanghai copper rose 0.7%, zinc advanced 1.4%, lead increased 1% and aluminium edged up 0.1%.
* TRADE DEAL: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday predicted a trade deal with China after positive gestures by Beijing, but gains in metals were capped as the bruising trade war shown a tendency to quickly reverse direction.
* COPPER: Germany's Wieland, one of the world's largest copper product makers, said on Monday it would reduce working hours at a German plant from next month because of the slowing global economy.
* CHINA: Profits at China's industrial firms returned to growth in July, helped by public works spending and improved margins in some sectors, but an economic slowdown and the U.S. trade war are seen weighing on business outlook.
* CHINA HOUSING: China's housing market is expected to slow this year with sales forecast to drop, as Beijing steps up efforts to scrutinise banks and provincial governments to keep a lid on lending and prices, a Reuters poll showed.
* YUAN: China's yuan weakened for the ninth straight session on Tuesday, plumbing new 11-1/2-year lows, as dramatic twists in the Sino-U.S. trade war left investors sceptical of the chances of a near-term deal.
A weaker yuan pressures dollar-priced metals by making them more expensive for Chinese buyers.