If US President Donald Trump approves Section 232 recommendations made by the country's Commerce Department, it could threaten the European steel market with export reduction and the growth of redirected import flows, sources told Metal Bulletin.

The world’s billet markets became uncertain last week, with sentiment starting to weaken amid higher availability of China-origin material and volatility in the East Asian country’s domestic prices.

Ever since the emissions scandal roiled Volkswagen in 2015, OEMs have been acutely aware of the need to protect their reputations and toe the ESG line

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were all down at the close of morning trading on Thursday January 23, the final trading day before Lunar New Year holidays kick off in China.

The Thai Cabinet has approved a draft bill this week that will allow the Industry Ministry to shut down mills in the country that produce substandard steel.

Turkish import scrap prices have risen this week, while those for Taiwanese import material plunged, and Indian import scrap held largely steady amid general expectation of a rebound in demand for the steelmaking raw material.

State-owned Saudi Arabian steel producer Hadeed Sabic plans to investment in a new product, although the details have yet to be announced, company president Mohammed Al-Zahrani said on Tuesday December 11.

Editor Vera Blei looks at the main news covered by Steel First over the past week.

Global billet prices moved in different directions during the week ended Friday May 4, with limited supply and improved demand pushing prices up for Southeast Asia’s imports, China’s domestic market and Turkey’s exports.

Spot demand for imported ferrous scrap in key Asian market Vietnam slowed in the week to Friday June 19 after buyers noted a dip in prices from the middle of the week.