METALS-London copper set for slight weekly gains as weak dollar aids

NEW DELHI, May 23 (Reuters) - Copper prices in London were poised for slim weekly gains on Friday, supported by a softer dollar, although the upside was limited due to persisting uncertainty over U.S. tariffs.

Benchmark copper CMCU3 on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was up 0.1% at $9,513 a metric ton, as of 0703 GMT. It has risen 0.7% so far this week.

The U.S. dollar was weaker on Friday and was set to log its first weekly drop in five against the euro and the yen, making greenback-priced commodities more attractive for buyers using other currencies. USD/

The weakness in the dollar has been exacerbated by worries over the United States' worsening fiscal health, sending investors scurrying for safe havens.

Last week, the U.S. and China agreed to reduce tit-for-tat tariffs and implement a 90-day pause on actions, but there is no clarity on what will follow after the temporary truce.

"There are uncertainties lingering around what will happen after the 90-day truce," said ANZ Commodity Strategist Soni Kumari.

"Market will consolidate in the current range around $9,400-$9,500 a metric ton. And, once we start seeing slowdown of copper imports into the U.S. that will pull down prices a bit."

Among other London metals, aluminium CMAL3 was up 0.2% at $2,462 a ton, zinc CMZN3 was down 0.2% to $2,693.5, lead CMPB3 added 0.8% to $1,985.5 and nickel CMNI3 was up 0.1% to $15,510. Tin CMSN3 firmed 0.5% to $32,545.

The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) was down 0.2% at 77,790 yuan ($10,805.67) per ton.

SHFE aluminium SAFcv1 was down 0.2% to 20,155 yuan a ton, zinc SZNcv1 eased 0.07% to 22,415 yuan, lead SPBcv1 was up 0.5% at 16,860 yuan, nickel SNIcv1 edged 0.7% lower to 122,610 yuan, and tin SSNcv1 fell 0.5% to 264,600 yuan.

($1 = 7.1990 yuan)

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