An invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces could negatively impact Novolipetsk Steel’s (NLMK) export sales, due to possible sanctions by Western nations, one industry watcher told MetalMiner on Jan. 31. Steel distributors in Europe have become hesitant about what an invasion could mean in the event that they purchase steel from NLMK, the analyst […]
Category: Global Trade
Natural gas markets under extreme duress
Ordinarily, rising oil and natural gas prices serve as positive signs of a recovering global economy. However, the rate and extent of price increases threatens to derail that very recovery. These increases, on top of rising interest rates, rapidly increasing inflation and constrained global supply chains, all continue despite more than a year into the […]
How a potential Russian incursion can impact metals markets
Metals experts and analysts from around the world have reacted to the on-going Russia-Ukraine tension by saying any escalation would have a negative impact on global metals markets. The continued geopolitical worries have raised the possibility of new sanctions on trade with major Russian metals producers. This could further squeeze the tight aluminum, copper and […]
Section 232 negotiations between the US and the UK
As an example of how trade disputes often have little to do with trade, the announcement this week that the US and UK would sit down for talks to resolve the Trump era “trade dispute” over steel and aluminium tariffs serves as a case in point. Back in March 2018, when the former US president […]
Mining follows the trend to re-shore to the USA
We have heard a lot in recent years about re-shoring. Simply, the return of manufacturing capacity wilfully relinquished to China over the last 20 years, back to the USA. Or at least we have heard about near-shoring to lower labor cost partners like Mexico. Few would argue it would be good for the US economy, […]
This Morning in Metals: Copper prices pick up
This morning in metals news: LME copper prices have ticked up; the U.S. monthly trade deficit increased from October to November; and, lastly, WTI crude prices made some gains this week. You want more MetalMiner on your terms. Sign up for weekly email updates here. Copper prices rise Copper prices had trended firmly in between […]
This Morning in Metals: GM to invest $51M in Indiana aluminum die casting foundry
This morning in metals news: General Motors will invest $51 million to install equipment at its Bedford, Indiana aluminum casting die foundry; nickel prices have gained this past month; and, lastly, the U.K. trade minister reportedly told the U.S. they could consider expanding tariffs on U.S. goods if the U.S. does not remove the Section […]
This Morning in Metals: OPEC meets as oil prices retreat
This morning in metals news: OPEC held its 23rd ministerial meeting today amid falling oil prices; meanwhile, the United States International Trade Commission issued a ruling on import relief for the domestic crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell sector; and, lastly, the trade ministers of the U.S., Japan and the E.U. convened this week. Want more from […]
Week in Review: Stainless steel base prices rise; Biden signs infrastructure bill; European Commission slaps duties on stainless steel from India, Indonesia
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner: Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. The next webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8, during which the MetalMiner team will discuss price predictions for 2022. To […]
Inflation and tariffs — what’s the connection?
Inflation is currently a hot topic on Wall Street and in Washington. For many, it’s a much more immediate issue than other major issues, like the impact of climate change. A recent Financial Times post in the paper’s Trade Secrets newsletter posed a somewhat controversial but not inappropriate question: could removing tariffs be the answer […]
