This Afternoon in Metals News: NAFTA Talks to Extend Into 2018
This afternoon in metals news, renegotiation efforts focused on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) appear to be at a standstill, Chile’s state copper commission boosts its 2018 copper forecast and a European agency advises plane manufacturers to suspended their use of products from embattled Japanese steelmaker Kobe Steel.
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NAFTA Deadlock
The fourth round of renegotiation talks regarding the 23-year-old NAFTA concluded yesterday, but the U.S., Mexico and Canada appear to be no closer to a consensus.
According to Bloomberg, initial hopes for a quick resolution have fizzled, as talks will now be extended into 2018 (which was previously hoped to be avoided, given the scheduled elections in each country next year).
The next round of talks is scheduled for Nov. 17-21 in Mexico.
Cochilco Forecasts Copper at Nearly $3/Pound in 2018
Chile’s state copper commission, Cochilco, on Wednesday put out a forecast for 2018 including a prediction of the average global copper price hitting $2.95/pound.
The new forecast is up significantly from Cochilco’s mid-year estimate of $2.68/pound. Greater Chinese demand is cited as a supporter of the global price.
Kobe Steel Saga Continues
The fallout from the Kobe Steel data falsification scandal continues, as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advised plane manufacturers to suspend their use of products from the firm, the third-largest steelmaker in Japan, according to CNN Money.
According to the report, EASA advised those manufacturers to find alternative suppliers and conduct a “thorough review of their supply chain.”
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A number of global heavyweights use Kobe Steel products, including GM, Boeing, Ford and Toyota, according to the report.
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