In a move with far-reaching implications for global supply chains and global diplomacy, China has lifted its export restrictions on rare earths to India. The monumental decision also includes key commodities like fertilizers and tunnel boring machines, and follows high-level talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who […]
Category: Commodities
Will Demand Drive a $126 Billion Bauxite Market by 2033?
Despite a few hiccups and occasional worries of oversupply, the global bauxite market has been growing steadily. Much of this expansion has been fueled by rising demand in the aluminum market, especially from automotive, aerospace and renewable energy sectors. About 60% of EV manufacturers and over 70% of aerospace materials use aluminum in one form […]
Will EU Steel Hikes Spill Over into U.S. Prices?
According to MetalMiner’s sources, ArcelorMittal sought another increase in its hot rolled coil coffers on August 5. This is in addition to the increase the steel industry leader sought in the previous week. Reports indicate that the Luxembourg-headquartered company is now seeking up to €610 ($705) per metric ton EXW for Q4 delivery, up almost […]
China vs. Canada: Steel Showdown Heads to the WTO
China’s decision to file a complaint in the World Trade Organization against Canadian tariffs and the steel tariff rate quota has re-focused the spotlight on what many have dubbed an “already-strained trade relationship” between the two countries. A few years ago, both nations resorted to tit-for-tat measures, including tariffs on everything from canola to electric […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Bulls and Bears Quarrel Over Gold Price Projections
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) finally lost bullish steam and moved sideways, rising only 0.81%. The past month has seen significant swings in precious metals prices. Safe-haven demand drove several metals to multi-year highs in late July, followed by partial pullbacks in August as market winds shifted. Gold and silver, in particular, […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Soften, More Tariffs on Deck
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) accelerated during the month, moving up 3.87% from July to August as steel prices continued to slide. U.S. Steel Prices Continue Slow Downtrend U.S. steel prices have remained within a slow but steady downtrend since their late-March peak. As of mid-August, prices were down 9.49%, falling to their […]
Automotive MMI: Tariffs Fuel Turbulence in Auto Metals, U.S. Automakers Face Summer Price Spikes
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, dropping by 0.84%. The U.S. automotive sector is reeling from recent developments that are dramatically altering the landscape for metal sourcing and procurement. Over the past month, new metal tariffs and trade deals, wild swings in aluminum and copper prices and frank warnings from automakers have converged […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earth Metals Market in Flux as U.S. Intervenes and Prices Rise
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, rising a modest 0.37%. Overall, the global rare earth metals market has seen a whirlwind of developments in the past few weeks, sending ripples through both supply chains and pricing. A series of U.S. and Chinese policy moves, from Washington’s unprecedented price support for rare earth […]
Aluminum MMI: MW Premium Futures Stagger, Aluminum Demand Soft
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) edged higher, but the pace slowed. Ultimately, the index saw just a 0.85% rise from July to August as the price of aluminum seemed to enter a period of flux. Track other MetalMiner monthly indexes here, and compare how the overall industrial metal market is performing. Midwest Premium Futures […]
Copper MMI: LME, Comex Copper Prices Return to Parity, Later Tariffs on Table
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, rising 1.18% from July to August. This puts the price of copper today just slightly above its April lows. Comex Copper Prices Plummet After Tariff Surprise July proved the most volatile month yet for Comex copper prices. As market surprises often do, the White House’s decision […]