Australia may well emerge as one of the few non-China sources for the supply of gallium metal, a valuable mineral used in electronics, LEDs and semiconductors. In a move toward critical mineral diversification, Alcoa of Australia recently reported that it had signed a Joint Development Agreement with Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd (JAGA) to […]
Category: Commodities
European Steel Giant Shuts Down, What Will Happen Now?
ArcelorMittal plans to idle blast furnace No. 3 at its Dąbrowa Górnicza plant in Poland’s Silesian Voivodeship. The steel industry giant made the initial announcement back in September, citing current and future market factors. “The reason for this decision stems from the extremely difficult and constantly deteriorating market conditions,” ArcelorMittal Poland said on July 24. […]
Copper Tariff U-Turn Sends Both Relief, and Shockwaves Through U.S. Supply Chains
In an 11th-hour reversal, the White House has exempted refined copper products, including cathodes, scrap and concentrates, from a looming 50% import tariff. Effective August 1, 2025, copper tariffs will only apply to semi-finished copper goods The surprise exemption caught metal markets off guard and sent U.S. copper prices into freefall. COMEX copper futures plunged […]
Aluminum Prices Continue to Hold Steady Amid Global Supply Constraints and Infrastructure Push
Recent movements in aluminum prices show the metal holding strong despite global economic shifts and region-specific challenges in extraction and refining operations. On July 25, aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange climbed to a four-month high, ending the week at US $2,656.5 and US $2,657 per ton, an increase of $10.5 or 0.39%. According […]
Canada Slaps Higher Tariffs on Chinese Steel, Beijing Decries Move
Canada has joined the growing list of countries imposing tariffs on steel imports from China. Late last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a comprehensive strategy to curb the influx of low-cost steel into Canada, with a focus on Chinese material. Like other countries, the main reason for the steel tariffs is to shield […]
Can China’s Steel Rally Outrun Its Struggling Property Market?
In the end, China exceeded market expectations, posting a 5.2% year-on-year growth on July 14 compared to the market forecast of 5%. According to the economic data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, strong trade and industrial production helped to propel growth, indicating that China has braved the tariff war unleashed by the United […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metals Prices Rise as U.S. Buyers Brace for Volatility
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) rose by 6.18% month-over-month. The past 30 days have seen precious metals prices climb steadily, underscoring a volatile commodities environment for U.S. manufacturers and metal buyers. Gold remains near record highs, while silver, platinum and palladium each enjoyed strong rallies from mid-June to late July. These moves […]
European Steel Prices Slide, But Will They Stay There?
Sources tell MetalMiner that lower seasonal demand has continued to push hot-rolled coil prices down in northern Europe since late June. In terms of steel prices, this means that mills are now quoting €540–550 ($625–640) per metric ton ex-works for August rolling and September delivery, down from €570 ($660) reported on June 23. It is […]
Is Europe About to Slam the Door Shut on Cheap Steel Imports?
In September, the European Steel Association (Eurofer) plans to introduce a proposal for an early and intensified safeguard system on imports. According to director Axel Eggert, this would replace the current general safeguard system used by the steel industry. Eurofer stated that the proposed system includes stronger tariff-rate quota (TRQ) protections for European producers, with […]
Construction MMI: Tariffs Set to Drive Up Metal Costs as U.S. Construction Still Grapples with High Interest Rates
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) traded flat month-over-month, with no noteworthy price movement in either direction. Meanwhile, the U.S. construction industry is bracing for fallout from a new round of tariffs on key building materials. Industry groups warn that these tariffs, alongside persistently high interest rates, threaten to squeeze project budgets. Missing out on […]