Nickel plays a vital role in producing stainless steel and powering electric vehicle batteries. In recent years, the metal’s close ties to the burgeoning electric vehicle market have helped push it into the global spotlight. However, rapid shifts in demand, supply and pricing have created both challenges and opportunities in the nickel sector, depending on […]
Sohrab Darabshaw
Trump’s 50% Tariffs Slam Indian Metals. Is $2 Billion in Trade at Risk?
India is seeing mixed reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump’s new announcement that he is imposing a 50% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from the country. While the Indian Government sought to play down the new Trump tariffs, with one minister dubbing its impact as “minor,” some analysts, experts and trade bodies are […]
Steel Dumping Tsunami Recedes: China’s Export Peak May Be Behind Us
Has the countdown to the end of China’s steel dominance in its own and international markets begun? Some steel industry reports seem to indicate that this is exactly the case. Many chalk this up to a variety of factors, including a shift in steel demand dynamics, China’s own poor internal demand, its efforts to turn […]
Rare Earth Truce or Trap? China’s Grip Still Chokes Global Supply
With the United States and China ratcheting down the tariff war (for 90 days at least), many expected that the export of rare earths and permanent magnets would soon return to pre-trade war conditions, as MetalMiner’s weekly newsletter weighed in on in the past. However, that does not seem to be happening on the ground. […]
Iron Ore Defies the Odds: Prices Surge After Tariff Rollbacks
The past week or so has seen quite a yo-yo ride for global iron ore prices. Ore futures, including the most-active September contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), dropped by about 2% on May 8. The reasons for this were twofold: the likely consequences of the U.S.-China trade tariff war, and a demand slowdown […]
China’s Steel Flood: ASEAN Struggles as Exports Surge 32% Overnight
There’s no doubt that China is desperately seeking new markets to hawk its goods and commodities after the U.S. trade tariffs kicked in. This is especially true when it comes to the country’s steel industry. In fact, even prior to the trade war, Beijing was actively looking at expanding its access to steel markets. So, […]
Why Are Russian Pig Iron Imports to Europe Skyrocketing?
Over three years into its invasion of Ukraine, and despite the subsequent sanctions, Russian producers continue to generate significant revenues from exports. This is especially true of metals and minerals, including pig iron and semi-finished steel products, which Russia continues to supply to the European Union. Russian Pig Iron Imports Surged in January In 2024, […]
Is Copper About to Spark a Global Commodities Rally?
Copper was touted as the hottest commodity of 2025, as covered in MetalMiner’s weekly newsletter. Capped by April’s tariff-driven turbulence, the last quarter only reinforced that view. Now it seems copper prices are poised to lead other metals in the short term. Many experts believe copper has reached an inflection point. As such, they expect […]
Iron Ore Defies Tariff Turbulence, But for How Long?
In this season of tariffs and counter-tariffs, the price of one of the most essential raw steelmaking materials seems to be holding up for now. The iron ore price has so far proved mostly immune to the fluctuations. But the question on everyone’s minds is, for how long? Despite the shadow of tit-for-tat customs duties, […]
Is China Using Rare Earths as Its Most Powerful Trade Weapon Yet?
China is once again weaponizing rare earths elements in the tariff war with the United States. According to media reports, China recently suspended the export of certain rare earth minerals, ostensibly while re-drafting the regulations covering such exports. MetalMiner’s weekly newsletter states that if the issue is not resolved soon, both the halt in rare […]