The United States’ transition to new energy will require increased domestic mineral production, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Tuesday March 9.

The base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed this morning, Friday April 23, as were the wider markets while US President Joe Biden prepares to announce his plans on tax.

Copper led the London Metal Exchange base metals higher this morning, Monday April 26, and most of the base metals on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up too, while the market continued to benefit from the strong purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data that was out on Friday.

The American Metals Supply Chain Institute (AMSCI) is urging President Joe Biden to eliminate steel and aluminium tariffs in an effort to lower domestic costs and boost employment in the United States' metals supply chain.

Century Aluminum sees United States President Joe Biden’s reinstatement of Section 232 tariffs on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a signal of his support for the tariff program implemented by his predecessor, an interpretation shared by many in the US aluminium market.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mainly lower this morning, Monday March 29, but those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were stronger across the board while they reacted to Friday’s LME performance.

The key containerized ferrous scrap import market of Taiwan continued to witness price gains this week amid tight supply of United States- and Japan-origin materials, sources told Fastmarkets.

With the exception of the June nickel contract, base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were weaker this morning, Wednesday April 28.

Nickel continued to reach its highest prices in a month while the rest of base metals on the London Metal Exchange were marginally higher on Thursday April 8, with the prospect of more economic stimulus and supportive fiscal measures in the United States boding well for equity markets and metal futures.

The Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users (Cammu), along with more than 300 US manufacturing businesses, asked US President Joe Biden to immediately terminate the Section 232 steel and aluminium tariffs in a letter dated Thursday May 6.