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: Imports
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 […]
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 […]
Canada Slaps Higher Tariffs on Chinese Steel, Beijing Decries Move
Canada has joined the growing list of countries imposing tariffs on steel imports from China. Late last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a comprehensive strategy to curb the influx of low-cost steel into Canada, with a focus on Chinese material. Like other countries, the main reason for the steel tariffs is to shield […]
Automotive MMI: Trump’s 50% Copper Tariff Sends Shock Through Auto Supply Chains
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, inching up by 2.29%. While the index has maintained a mostly sideways trend over the past year, short-term volatility may be on the way. President Trump recently announced a 50% tariff on imported copper, a move expected to impact U.S. automotive manufacturing firms that source the red […]
Rare Earths MMI: US–China Trade Deal Eases Rare Earth Export Controls
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, rising a modest 0.66%. Meanwhile, prices for rare earths may experience short-term stabilization in the upcoming months, primarily due to President Trump reaching an agreement with China to ease restrictions on critical mineral exports. Track macroeconomic signals, pricing pressure, and supply shifts before they hit your […]
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% […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Stable, but Volatility Looms
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, rising by a modest 1.45% from May to June. Though copper prices today appear mostly stable, significant opportunity for volatility remains. Copper Prices Open June With Uncertainty Comex copper prices appeared surprisingly stable in the first weeks of June as they took a pause from the heightened […]
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 […]