The World Trade Organization (WTO) handed a victory to Russia in a Ukrainian transit dispute in its first ever ruling on a national security exemption, which could have profound implications for pending Section 232 disputes at the WTO and potential automobile tariffs to be imposed by United States President Donald Trump.

With copper executives gathering in the Chilean capital of Santiago for this year’s CESCO-organized copper industry convention, interest in mined copper concentrates was being boosted by disruptions to trade flows in copper scrap.

The benchmark standard-grade cobalt price rebounded in the last week of March, after having been under pressure during the previous five months, when traders and consumers returned to the spot market to restock following a rundown in inventories.

Elections in two key Southeast Asian countries have dampened steel demand and prices in recent weeks, despite the rising cost of iron ore.

Gerald Reichmann has been appointed the new chief executive officer of British Steel, the UK long steel producer said on Friday April 5.

The atmosphere at the Cesco copper industry gathering in Santiago, Chile, next week is expected to be lifted by a bullish outlook for the red metal.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has recommended reducing steel safeguard duties previously instituted in response to Section 232 measures implemented by the United States, it said on Wednesday April 3.

Fastmarkets’ offices in Latin America and the United States will be closed on Friday April 19 in observance of Good Friday, meaning Fastmarkets will not update US or Latin American steel prices on that day.

The Fastmarkets pricing holiday schedule has been updated to reflect an amendment to the index calendar in the ores and alloys section.

Fastmarkets is extending the consultation period for its proposal to revise the frequency and specification of its copper concentrate treatment & refining charges (TC/RC) index until April 19.