Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed during morning trading on Monday August 13, with a firmer dollar and uncertainty surrounding escalating global trade tensions fueling a reduction in investors’ appetite for the base metals.

Due to a technical error, Metal Bulletin shredded ferrous scrap index was published incorrectly on August 10.

Market participants in Asia are anticipating a surge in deliveries of lower-priced United States-origin ferrous scrap and Turkish rebar in the coming weeks as Turkey's economic troubles continue.

Sentiment in most of the global billet markets was negative in the week ended Friday August 10 amid unfavorable market conditions.

Global scrap prices have declined in key regions from the levels they showed a week ago, with the weakening Turkish lira damping sentiment in what is the world’s largest scrap import market.

United States president Donald Trump said on Friday August 10 that he has authorized higher tariffs on imports from Turkey, imposing a 20% duty on aluminum and 50% duty on steel.

But a looming feedstock shortage has sustained fears of further supply constraints to come in 2018.

China’s domestic spot battery-grade lithium carbonate prices remain under downward pressure this week, with fewer suppliers making higher offers.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were broadly lower during morning trading on Friday August 10 amid a stronger dollar and ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States.

The electrification of vehicles and the need to store electricity generated by renewable energy sources - mainly solar and wind - point to huge demand for lithium-ion batteries.