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 […]
Tag: steel prices
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 […]
Can China’s Steel Rally Outrun Its Struggling Property Market?
In the end, China exceeded market expectations, posting a 5.2% year-on-year growth on July 14 compared to the market forecast of 5%. According to the economic data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, strong trade and industrial production helped to propel growth, indicating that China has braved the tariff war unleashed by the United […]
European Steel Prices Slide, But Will They Stay There?
Sources tell MetalMiner that lower seasonal demand has continued to push hot-rolled coil prices down in northern Europe since late June. In terms of steel prices, this means that mills are now quoting €540–550 ($625–640) per metric ton ex-works for August rolling and September delivery, down from €570 ($660) reported on June 23. It is […]
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 […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Steady Ahead of Trade Deals
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) trended sideways, with a 1.37% increase from June to July. With a few exceptions, steel prices remained largely steady as long-awaited trade deals with the U.S. began to materialize. Nippon Officially Acquires U.S. Steel After an arduous 18-month process, Nippon Steel officially acquired U.S. Steel. Initially blocked by […]
Steel Titans: Who’s Up and Who’s ‘Melting Down’?
According to the World Steel Association (worldsteel), one of the leading providers of steel market information, the China Baowu Group was the largest steelmaker group in 2024, with production remaining stable on the year. In its June 5 report, titled “2025 World Steel in Figures,” worldsteel stated that the Shanghai-headquartered company poured just over 130 […]
Construction MMI: New 50% Aluminum and Steel Tariffs Squeeze U.S. Construction
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, dropping by 2.0% month-over-month. In early June 2025, new Trump tariffs doubled pre-existing steel and aluminum duties from 25% to 50%. As buyers scrambled, U.S. aluminum premiums immediately hit a record 60¢/lb. Meanwhile, the tariff surge is already squeezing the U.S. construction industry. Construction Input Inflation Construction […]
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 […]