Copper prices in China fluctuated during the reporting period (May 18-22), with the average price declining week on week. Early in the week, stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation and persistent Middle East geopolitical tensions pushed up the U.S. dollar index. The hawkish minutes of the U.S. Fed's April policy meeting released last week kept the index elevated, weighing on copper prices. However, as market sentiment gradually eased, copper prices rebounded late last week.