The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) experienced a spike in price action month-over-month, rising by 7.4%. The recent tariffs on China, the top global supplier of rare earths, caused a short-term upward trend for many of the elements in the index. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s mineral reserves have attracted considerable international attention, particularly from President Trump. […]
Category: Commodities
Worried About Trump Tariffs? Here’s Our Comprehensive Guide to 2025 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
In February 2025, President Trump reinstated and expanded the Section 232 tariffs on all steel (including stainless steel products) and aluminum imports, setting a flat 25% duty effective March 12, 2025 (what’s known as the “Trump Tariffs”). This renewed policy removes all previously negotiated country-specific exemptions and broadens the tariff’s scope to include a diverse […]
Iron Ore Prices Whipsaw as Global Steel Markets Brace for Impact
Iron ore prices have seen some degree of volatility in the last fortnight or so. Experts attribute the moves to a combination of factors, the most critical being the imposition of tariffs on certain Chinese steel products, including those distributed through neighboring Vietnam. Another significant factor is changes in demand from major steel-making countries. Whatever […]
War, Politics and Minerals: How Ukraine’s Rare Earths Became a Global Battleground
Today’s global rare earths supply chain is lopsided, with only a few nations, helmed by China, firmly in control of production and processing. Now, rapidly unfolding developments involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia could introduce a new dimension to this otherwise highly imbalanced supply chain. Subscribe to MetalMiner’s weekly newsletter and conquer metal market […]
AWMI Chicago 2025 Market Outlook Host Nucor Market Intelligence Manager
The Chicago chapter of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries (AWMI) hosted its January event featuring a market outlook presentation from Ping Liang, the Market Intelligence Manager at Nucor. Liang discussed Nucor’s 2025 steel market outlook, highlighting both the strength of the U.S. economy in years past and a forecast of what is to […]
Anglo American Offloads Nickel Business for $500M, Here’s Why It Matters
Mining multinational Anglo American recently agreed to sell its nickel business to a subsidiary of MMG Resources, which has its main offices in Beijing and Melbourne, for up to $500 million. The move left many industry insiders speculating how it might relate to current nickel prices and how it might affect them. On February 18, […]
Are Trump’s Tariffs Causing a Global Metal Market Earthquake?
The so-called “Trump Tariffs” have shaken things up for metal traders worldwide. At least three countries in the Asia Pacific region will see significant impacts from U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff imposition on steel and aluminum. In addition to increasing the rate to 25% from the previous 10%, President Trump also removed exemptions and […]
China Puts the Brakes on Copper Smelters. Will It Ease the Industry’s Supply Strain?
Throughout 2024, China worked to control its rapidly growing copper smelters, which were lowering profit margins amid a bustling copper market. In response, China has released new, more stringent regulations for the construction of new copper smelters. The move aims to keep excess capacity in check. However, it’s a slowdown rather than a complete halt […]
Swiss Steel Bows Out? Major Delisting Signals & Drastic Restructuring Shifts
Swiss Steel Group recently announced plans to voluntarily delist from the local stock exchange. The sustainable steel industry leader partly cited restructuring and reorganization changes as reasons for the move, stating that both had resulted in large and long-term investors becoming its principal shareholders. According to January 24 statement, the resulting low float of its […]
Renewables MMI: What’s Next for Renewables With Recent Policy Changes?
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed its highest rise in over five months, with the renewable resources index increasing by 6.58% month-over-month. This was mostly due to GOES (grain-oriented electrical steel) and neodymium shooting up in price in reaction to recent policy changes. U.S. Policy Shifts Reshape Renewable Energy Market and Metal Prices The […]
