The intensifying competition in artificial intelligence combined with surging global defense expenditures is expected to create a significant copper supply crunch. According to recent market analysis, producers are struggling to ramp up output fast enough to meet the anticipated surge in demand. This dual-driver scenario—where both the tech boom and geopolitical tensions fuel appetite for the red metal—paints a concerning picture for supply-side constraints. The shortage could ripple through multiple sectors, affecting everything from infrastructure projects to manufacturing. For those tracking commodity markets and economic cycles, this copper squeeze represents a critical data point to watch, particularly given how raw material costs flow through various industries and asset classes.