The US trade roller coaster ride seems to be flattening, with signs of potential moderation and stability. It appears increasingly likely that our original expectation that the US Trump administration would primarily use the threat of tariffs as a negotiating strategy will be correct. While we do not expect to the US tariff position return to pre-2025 levels, we believe the overall US tariff burden is more likely to settle at around 10-30% globally rather than the elevated rates of 50-100% that seemed possible in recent weeks.

Read Fastmarkets' monthly battery raw materials market update for May 2025, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more

The recent US-China agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs is a major step for global trade, with tariffs on US goods entering China dropping from 125% to 10% and on Chinese goods entering the US decreasing from 145% to 30% starting May 14. While this has boosted markets and created optimism, key industries like autos and steel remain affected, leaving businesses waiting for clearer long-term trade policies.

Explore how rare earths power innovation, China's dominance and efforts to build a resilient global supply chain

The US warned of Chinese dominance in the rare earths market, while the UK and EU pushed for a coordinated approach to decarbonization and electrification at the UK-hosted International Energy Agency (IEA) Summit on the Future of Energy Security in London on Thursday April 24.

The recent US executive order intended to fast-track seabed mining projects has thrown a spotlight on a sector that faces a storm of challenges, including from its stakeholders.

How much Canadian aluminium is being diverted from the US to Europe, when will it arrive and what impact will it have on premiums? The market appears to be split, but that could all change at the end of June, sources told Fastmarkets in the week to Thursday April 17.

A1 Lithium, a US-based subsidiary of Anson Resources, is advancing its Paradox Lithium Project in Utah to capitalize on North America's growing lithium demand, leveraging a partnership with Fastmarkets and support from the US Supply Chain Resiliency Initiative.

Read Fastmarkets' monthly battery raw materials market update for April 2025, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more

This article examines trends in CIF aluminium premiums in Mexico and the current dynamics that led to the launch of new references, while highlighting challenges and opportunities in the market to support stakeholders in making strategic decisions in the country