Stock image. Copper prices surged toward a record on Monday as optimism over an imminent US-China trade deal added steam to a rally driven by a slew of disruptions at some of the world’s biggest mines.Prices on the London Metal Exchange rose as much as 1.2% to $11,094 a tonne, just$10 shy of a record reached in May of 2024.Meanwhile, copper futures on the COMEX traded as high as $5.247 a lb., equivalent to about$11,568 per tonne, which is also not far off the record $12,330 per tonne hit in July.The rally ...