(Updates with closing prices)By Peter HobsonLONDON, June 11 (Reuters) - Copper prices touched theirhighest in two weeks on Tuesday, lifted by hopes that topconsumer China will pump money into building metals-intensiveinfrastructure.
News that China will allow local governments to use proceedsfrom special bonds as capital for investment projects came afterthe United States and Mexico reached a deal on Friday to avertU.S. tariffs on Mexican goods, supporting prices of copper andother metals. [Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME)reached $5,956 a tonne in intraday trading before slipping backto finish only $2 up from Monday's close at $5,876.
Global stock markets rose while Chinese equities surged byabout 3%.Fears that trade disputes will damage economic growth andmetals demand had helped to push down copper prices by 15% froman April high to a five-month low of $5,740 on Friday.
"Optimism is stemming from talk of additional stimulus outof China," said Capital Economics analyst Ross Strachan.
"It's not a major surprise that markets have latched on tosome positive news. It's been a bit of a bloodbath recently."Strachan expects copper to end the year around currentlevels.
MEXICO: The United States and Mexico may explore additionalsteps next month to restrict illegal immigration from CentralAmerica, with the threat of tariffs hanging over Mexico. CHINA: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended theuse of tariffs as part of his trade strategy while China vowed atough response if the United States insists on escalating tradetensions amid ongoing negotiations. YUAN: China's central bank said it will sellyuan-denominated bills in Hong Kong in late June, which someanalysts said was aimed at stemming a sharp weakening in thecurrency. DOLLAR: The dollar has weakened from last month's two-yearhighs, supporting metals by making them cheaper for buyers withother currencies.CHINA PREMIUMS: Chinese Yangshan copper import premiums have risen to $59 from two-year lows of $47 lastmonth.
"As the premium has started to recover, we expect China'simport appetite to recover again in June," said ArgonautSecurities analyst Helen Lau.LEAD: LME lead closed 1.3% up at $1,914 a tonne asthe premium for cash metal over the three-month contract surged above $40, its highest since early 2017, beforeslipping back. A premium points to tight nearby supply.
Stocks of lead in LME-registered warehouses are near theirlowest since 2009. OTHER METALS: LME aluminium closed 0.2% up at $1,778a tonne after touching a 29-month low on Monday. Zinc rose 1.3% to $2,506.50 and tin was down 0.4% at $19,160.Nickel was not included in closing rings but was up1.8% in electronic trading at $11,885.
<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Top Base and Precious Metals Analysis -GFMS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Peter Hobson; Additional reporting by Enrico delaCruz, editing by Louise Heavens and David Goodman)