Iron ore prices rose this week, despite the overall weakness in the steel industry. Analysts are puzzled by this contradiction, particularly as China’s steel production and local consumption are still not recovering at the rate they should be. According to sector experts, the recent surge hints at a gap between actual raw material demand and […]
Category: Global Trade
Rare Earths MMI – End of Summer Rally: New U.S. Policy Moves and 40% Price Spikes
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, but gained bullish momentum from the prior month, rising 2.15%. This comes as the rare earths market experienced numerous developments over the past 30 days, including discussions between Malaysia and China to develop new plans for rare earth processing. Notably, this would be limited strictly to […]
China Lifts Rare Earth Export Curbs On India
In a move with far-reaching implications for global supply chains and global diplomacy, China has lifted its export restrictions on rare earths to India. The monumental decision also includes key commodities like fertilizers and tunnel boring machines, and follows high-level talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who […]
China vs. Canada: Steel Showdown Heads to the WTO
China’s decision to file a complaint in the World Trade Organization against Canadian tariffs and the steel tariff rate quota has re-focused the spotlight on what many have dubbed an “already-strained trade relationship” between the two countries. A few years ago, both nations resorted to tit-for-tat measures, including tariffs on everything from canola to electric […]
Stainless MMI: Suppliers Note Weak Q2 Despite Firm Stainless Prices
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a modest 0.32% increase from July to August. Though it also remained flat for the month, the nickel price continued on an overall downtrend. Stainless Mills Note Weak Demand Despite a round of price hikes in recent months, the stainless market remains weak, with no evidence […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Soften, More Tariffs on Deck
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 […]
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 […]