It’s fair to say the Israel Iran conflict has barely dented the gains global stock markets made back in May. Yes, there was a sharp sell-off when hostilities first began. However, markets quickly rebounded, with only those stocks most exposed to international trade still feeling the effects. Unsurprisingly, oil prices have shown more volatility. They […]
Category: Global Trade
Nickel’s Critical Role in Stainless Steel and EV Batteries
Nickel plays a vital role in producing stainless steel and powering electric vehicle batteries. In recent years, the metal’s close ties to the burgeoning electric vehicle market have helped push it into the global spotlight. However, rapid shifts in demand, supply and pricing have created both challenges and opportunities in the nickel sector, depending on […]
Steel Showdown: EU Warns Retaliation as Trump Doubles Down on Tariffs
The European Commission (EC) has expressed concern about Donald Trump’s announcement of plans to double import tariffs on steel. The U.S. President proclaimed the new “Trump Tariffs” during a speech at US Steel’s Mon Valley-Irwin works in Pennsylvania on May 30. “We strongly regret the announced increase of U.S. tariffs on steel imports from 25% […]
Tariff Ticking Time Bomb: Trump Gives UK Until July 9th to Avoid Steel Shock
Trump tariffs are back once again putting U.S trade partners in a tough spot. President Donald Trump recently exempted the United Kingdom from his doubling of import tariffs on steel and aluminum into the United States, but only temporarily. While import tariffs from UK steelmakers remain at 25% for now, failure to reach an agreement […]
Rare Earths MMI: Prices Stabilize, but Supply Chains Still Disrupted by China’s New RE Restrictions
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) found more price stability month-over-month. As a result, it moved sideways, with only a 0.81% increase. Despite this, the short-term outlook for rare earths remains uncertain. Chinese export restrictions jolted prices in H1 of 2025 and fractured long-running supply lines. Shortly after, global automakers warned that Beijing’s April […]
Trump’s 50% Tariffs Slam Indian Metals. Is $2 Billion in Trade at Risk?
India is seeing mixed reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump’s new announcement that he is imposing a 50% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from the country. While the Indian Government sought to play down the new Trump tariffs, with one minister dubbing its impact as “minor,” some analysts, experts and trade bodies are […]
If the Goal Isn’t Price Stability, Then What Are These New 50% Tariffs Really About?
During a rally at U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant near Pittsburgh last Friday, U.S. President Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%. These new “Trump Tariffs” are set to take effect on June 4, 2025, and will not only apply to primary and semi-finished steel and […]
Copper Market Outlook, H2 2025: Why Are Inventories Still So Uneven?
The copper market outlook for the second half of 2025 has seen significant debate in recent weeks. On the supply side of the equation, new production is coming online. However, this may not happen fast enough to flood the market. According to mining.com, the ICSG projects global mined copper output will rise about 2.3% in […]
Price of Copper Braces for H2 2025: Are Demand Jitters on the Way?
Copper prices are entering the second half of 2025 on a knife’s edge. After a roller-coaster first half that included soaring to record highs in March only to plunge weeks later, the outlook for the price of copper remains clouded by dueling forces. On the one hand, robust long-term demand drivers like electrification and EVs […]
China’s Metal Anti-Dumping is Back. What You Need to Know
Chinese mills are churning out steel, aluminum and even refined copper at near-record levels and sending the surplus abroad, a trend steel industry analysts say could pressure industrial metal prices in the United States. After a year of lagging domestic demand, China’s exports of construction and manufacturing metals have surged, flooding global markets with cheap […]