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    CRU: U.S. Zinc Demand Starts 2021 on a More Solid Footing

    Written by Helen O’Cleary


    By CRU Analyst Helen O’Cleary, from CRU’s Zinc Monitor January 2021

    After a turbulent start to 2021 for U.S. politics, President Biden begins his term with the unenviable task of bringing the Covid-19 outbreak under control and supporting the nascent U.S. economic recovery. He plans to start with a $1.9 trillion Covid relief plan and will then seek approval for a second spending initiative, including the Build Back Better infrastructure bill. Biden has reportedly confirmed that he will not immediately remove tariffs imposed by Trump on steel imports in 2018, which should mean that the U.S. steel industry can continue to benefit from current high prices on the back of capacity cutbacks last year and restocking in recent months as the auto sector has started to recover.

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    CRU: Global finished steel prices diverge, US the rare bright spot

    CRU: Global finished steel prices have diverged in August, with longs softening while sheet and plate firmed in most regions. Weak construction demand persisted across most longs markets, with the US the notable exception. Higher sheet prices were driven by tightening supply in the US and reduced import attractiveness in Europe, even as APAC sheet prices declined. Plate prices were mostly firmer across APAC, stable to down in Europe, and continued climbing in the US.