China has significantly increased its reliance on aluminum imports this year due to lower domestic aluminum supply. According to reports, the move is part of a strategic measure to partially offset the below-average output in domestic production. Indeed, new customs data reveals that China saw a notable 10.7% increase in aluminum imports during the first […]
Category: Global Trade
Aluminum MMI: Russian Metal Hits 80% of LME, Aluminum Prices Rise in July
Aluminum prices continued to slide throughout June but appeared to find a bottom in early July. Prices started to form relief patterns in the short term, rising following bearish price action over recent months. Meanwhile, cooling inflation data saw market sentiment improve. The U.S. dollar index, which has an inverse correlation to metal prices, dropped […]
Chinese Mills Brace for Tough H2 Amid Insufficient Consumption, Falling Steel Prices
China’s major steelmakers recently warned of a “very challenging” H2 that could impact steel prices. As noted in news reports quoting the China Iron & Steel Association (CISA), this goes against earlier expectations of improvement in the sector. According to a June 30 report from Bloomberg, officials from China Baowu Steel Group, Ansteel Group, Hesteel, […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earth Race Continues Between U.S. and China
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw little change month-on-month. Overall, the index continued its sideways trend, dropping a slight 2.5%. Rare earth carbonate saw the largest price shift between June 1 and July 1, dipping 10.59%. Still, as a whole, the index continues to trend in stark difference to the sharp price drops […]
Is India the U.S.’s New China?
In a recent interview, Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator at the Financial Times, explored the growing relationship between the U.S. and India. The article primarily targets a British audience, but still playfully mock the Brits’ obsession with the “special relationship” between the UK and US. Most people acknowledge that this relationship originated during the […]
Most Indian Steel & Aluminum Imports to Be Excluded From U.S. Tariffs
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the United States. During his stay, the two nations agreed to resolve six long-standing disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO). U.S. steel news outlets watched this exchange particularly closely. This is because one of the subjects of debate was India’s imposition of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, […]
Do High Russian Aluminum Volumes Call the LME’s Integrity into Question?
(Editor’s Note: This article has been edited and updated since it’s earlier publication to reflect the LME position on Russian origin materials) It’s no news that the London Metal Exchange (LME) has seen a big rise in Russian aluminum inventories in its warehouses. However, the surge in Russian metal remains a source of concern. After […]
EU Cross-Border Adjustment Mechanism Deals Blow to India’s Aluminum Industry
The EU’s implementation of the Cross-Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) poses a significant challenge to India’s aluminum industry and the global price of aluminum. The move stems from the EU’s eagerness to tackle carbon and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, as one of the leading low-cost aluminum producers, India faces a considerable setback due to […]
Democratic Republic of Congo Replaces Peru as the Second Largest Copper Exporter
There’s a new kid on the block in copper production. Media reports say the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to put up a tough fight against Peru, the world’s second-biggest copper producer. If the latter does not square up, expects feel the DRC may end up taking its #2 title. Of course, such competition […]
Chinese Steel Prices Dropping Quickly
For the past year or two, steel analysts and experts have talked about how China’s market is now more open. Simultaneously, they discussed how domestic steel demand had surged due to increased infrastructure spending. The way they made it sound, low steel prices would soon become a thing of the past. This week, prices for […]
