METALS-Shanghai copper gains on tariff deal hopes

April 18 (Reuters) - Copper prices in Shanghai rose on Friday, as a possible end to the tit-for-tat tariff hikes between the U.S. and China came into view after U.S. President Donald trump expressed optimism over a potential deal.

The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) SCFcv1 rose 0.4% to 76,130 yuan ($10,428.05) per metric ton, as of 0150 GMT.

The London Metal Exchange is closed for the Good Friday holiday.

Trump on Thursday signalled that he does not intend to go higher on tariffs on Chinese imports.

Trump had hiked rates on Chinese imports, now totalling 145%, after Beijing retaliated with its own counter-measures. Last week, China said it "will not respond" to a "numbers game with tariffs," its own signal that across-the-board rates would not rise further.

Trump said China had been in touch since the imposition of tariffs and expressed optimism that they could reach a deal.

Meanwhile, China's central bank pumped 250.5 billion yuan via 7-day reverse repurchase agreements at 1.5% vs prior 1.5%, according to a statement.

Elsewhere, Copper output in Peru, the world's third-largest producer of the red metal, was virtually flat in February from the same month a year ago.

Earlier this week, Citi estimated average copper prices of $9,000 per tonne in the second quarter.

SHFE aluminium SAFcv1 gained 0.3% to 19,695 yuan a ton, zinc SZNcv1 rose 0.4% higher to 22,055 yuan, while nickel SNIcv1 added 0.3% to 126,010 yuan, lead SPBcv1 gained 0.7% to 16,830 yuan, and tin SSNcv1 was up 0.1% at 257,210 yuan.

($1 = 7.2974 Chinese yuan renminbi)