Chinese steel markets lost steam last month as the peak demand season was not enough to support prices. While the market is focussed on the short-term movements of the coming weeks, China’s leaders are focussed on the bigger picture. As they gather to iron out policies for the coming five …

As China prepares to enter another period of peak demand, expectations for the short term are bullish. Forecasts for the year have been revised upwards, in part because of strong demand and in part because of China becoming a net importer of steel.

There is also some caution about whether …

China’s demand rush has left its prices so high that imports have become increasingly attractive. With China officially a net importer of steel in June, how long can this phenomenon last? Will the country still be absorbing global excess steel supply for the rest of this year and into 2021? …

China’s steel demand is now coming off record highs. A gentle decline is more likely than a price crash in the near term however. Chinese output is already adjusting away from pressured long products.

China meanwhile is also moving towards some longer-term goals. The vast Simandou iron ore deposit in …