Copper prices slipped on Thursday, falling 1.9% on the London Metal Exchange and ending an eight‑day rally that had pushed the metal to record highs. The decline comes as buying in China slows amid heightened scrutiny of the recent summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The rally had been underpinned by mounting supply concerns—worldwide mine disruptions have tightened availability—and growing speculation that the artificial intelligence boom would boost demand for copper‑heavy electronics. However, the diplomatic focus in China appears to have diverted capital away from commodities, curbing the surge in purchases that had sustained the upward trend.

Market watchers note that the pause in Chinese activity could signal a broader reassessment of growth prospects for key sectors that rely on copper, potentially tempering the recent optimism that had driven prices to new highs. Analysts will be monitoring subsequent data releases to gauge whether the downturn is a short‑term reaction or the beginning of a more sustained correction.

The turn in copper’s trajectory underscores the metal’s sensitivity to geopolitical events and supply‑side shocks, reminding investors that even the most robust demand drivers can be offset by sudden shifts in global sentiment.