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 […]
Category: Commodities
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 […]
Aluminum MMI: MW Premium Finds New High
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways with an upside bias. Overall, the index rose 1.99% from June to July as aluminum prices slowed their ascent. Track other MetalMiner monthly indexes here, and compare how the overall industrial metal market is performing. Midwest Premium Returns to the Upside Stabilization proved temporary for aluminum’s Midwest […]
Stainless MMI: Mills Secure Price Increases Despite Weak Demand
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, but the downside bias continued. Overall, the index fell 0.9% from June to July. Meanwhile, nickel prices continued their slow slide downward. Mill Price Hikes Hold June brought in a wave of price hikes from U.S. mills. NAS led the market, issuing possibly its largest ever increase […]
ThyssenKrupp Bets €800M on Strip Mill Overhaul
German flats producer ThyssenKrupp Steel recently commissioned a modernized strip mill at its main site in Duisburg as well as new upstream equipment. On July 4, the steel industry titan released a statement detailing that the modernized hot rolled strip mill will be able to roll 3.1 million metric tons of hot rolled coil in […]
Automotive MMI: Trump’s 50% Copper Tariff Sends Shock Through Auto Supply Chains
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, inching up by 2.29%. While the index has maintained a mostly sideways trend over the past year, short-term volatility may be on the way. President Trump recently announced a 50% tariff on imported copper, a move expected to impact U.S. automotive manufacturing firms that source the red […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Chase All-Time High as 50% Tariff Looms
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways with an upside bias, rising 2.69% from June to July. Comex Copper Prices Nearing All-Time High on 50% Tariff Reports Comex copper prices resumed their uptrend, ending a brief pause witnessed in early June. As of July 7, the price of copper on the exchange stood $266/mt […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Steady Ahead of Trade Deals
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) trended sideways, with a 1.37% increase from June to July. With a few exceptions, steel prices remained largely steady as long-awaited trade deals with the U.S. began to materialize. Nippon Officially Acquires U.S. Steel After an arduous 18-month process, Nippon Steel officially acquired U.S. Steel. Initially blocked by […]
Rare Earths MMI: US–China Trade Deal Eases Rare Earth Export Controls
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, rising a modest 0.66%. Meanwhile, prices for rare earths may experience short-term stabilization in the upcoming months, primarily due to President Trump reaching an agreement with China to ease restrictions on critical mineral exports. Track macroeconomic signals, pricing pressure, and supply shifts before they hit your […]
Is BYD’s Hungary Plant a Steel Game-Changer for Europe?
Chinese automaker BYD recently appointed Austria’s Voestalpine as its first steel supplier for the planned production plant in Hungary. On June 24, the Linz-headquartered steel industry leader officially announced it will begin supplying autobody and outer-skin components from its rolling mills to BYD’s Szeged plant in Q4 2025. Szeged sits about 180 kilometers south of […]