Algeria imported 2.27 million tonnes of steel with a value of $1.72 billion in the first half of 2012, according to figures recently released by the country’s customs authority.

The London Metal Exchange will introduce market-making programmes to enhance the liquidity of its new products and existing contracts, it said on Thursday August 20.

Recent anti-dumping cases involving Turkish steel companies should offer a lesson in the protection of domestic industries, according to Namik Ekinci, chairman of the Turkish Steel Exporters Assn (CIB).

European steelmakers have called for the European Commission (EC) to review its decision to liberalize its import safeguard measures by increasing quota volumes by 5% each year, Fastmarkets has learned.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part little changed this morning, Monday March 18, the exception being copper, whose price was up by 0.7% at $6,474 per tonne, compared with $6,431.50 per tonne at Friday’s close.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were in a steadier tone so far on Wednesday September 12, after they closed broadly lower on Tuesday amid dollar strength and rising trade war concerns.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were up across the board by an average of 0.7% on the morning of Thursday November 15.

Both China and the CIS region have been less active in the steel billet markets over the past week, but Iran has shown more activity in the semi-finished product trade, amid a generally positive mood.

Turkish steel producers are unfairly being subjected to a host of protectionist measures by other countries looking to support their own steel mills, according to the Turkish Steel Exporters Assn.

Base metals prices had a strong start to the trading week after a solid close on Monday April 16. Two metals dominated the headlines yesterday: the London Metal Exchange’s three-month aluminium price continued its vertical surge, while nickel closed above $14,000 per tonne amid growing concerns that the United States could implement additional sanctions on Russia.