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 […]
Category: Global Trade
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 […]
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 […]
Critical Metals in the Spotlight as Gallium Takes Center Stage in Global Tech Push
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
China Doubles Down in Africa for Copper While India Quietly Makes Its Move
Both China and India are now jostling for exploration and mining rights across the African continent. Over the last decade, China has rapidly expanded its presence in Africa’s growing copper market, securing critical mineral supplies to fuel its green energy ambitions. With copper demand surging globally due to the growth of electric vehicles, renewable energy, […]