METALS-London copper edges higher as dollar drifts; US tariff outlook caps gains

NEW DELHI, March 24 (Reuters) - Copper prices in London edged higher on Monday, tracking some weakness in the dollar, although concerns over looming U.S. tariffs checked gains.

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metals Exchange (LME) was up 0.8% to $9,929.5 a metric ton, as of 0222 GMT.

The dollar drifted just below a three-week high versus major peers, as traders cautiously awaited clarity on U.S. President Donald Trump's next round of tariffs.

A weaker U.S. currency makes dollar-priced metals cheaper for buyers using other currencies.

The next round of tariffs is due on April 2, when the White House will announce reciprocal levies on many countries.

"Expectations are rising that President Trump's broad retaliatory tariffs due to come into effect on April 2 will hurt global economic growth," ANZ Research said in a note.

"We don't expect global growth to lurch lower, but it is likely to be softer. We expect the slowdown to be led by the U.S. and parts of Asia."

Among other metals, LME aluminium rose 0.3% to $2,630 a ton, lead was up 1.07% at $2,038, zinc gained 0.5% to $2,942.5, tin advanced 0.5% to $34,670, and nickel climbed 0.3% to $16,105 a ton.

SHFE copper was up 0.09% to 81,200 yuan ($11,186.42) a ton, SHFE aluminium eased 0.4% to 20,710 yuan a ton, zinc rose 1.5% to 24,175 yuan, and lead was up 0.3% at 17,525 yuan. Nickel, however, lost 0.3% to 129,400 yuan and tin eased 0.6% to 277,140 yuan. ($1 = 7.2588 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Neha Arora; Editing by Rashmi Aich)