Commodities

A steel plant in Hefei, China. Domestic demand for steel has waned during the trade war, undercutting prices in the region.
Commodities

Asia's steel and plastic prices slump as trade war takes toll

Excess output from China slowdown spills into neighboring markets

14 July 2019
Malaysia's palm oil exports fell 19.4% to 1.38 million tons in June. 
Commodities

Malaysia's June palm oil inventory falls to 11-month low

Typical higher output in second-half and weak demand cloud prospects of price gain

10 July 2019
The LME is in talks with Chinese authorities to open its first warehouse in mainland China. 
Commodities

Copper price fall hints at manufacturing slowdown in China: LME head

Exchange plans to launch lithium contracts with Chinese price as benchmark

10 July 2019
China produces nearly 80% of the world's rare earths, used in high-tech products like smartphones and electric cars.
Commodities

China's rare-earth strategy versus US risks backfiring

As mineral prices rise, drive to build up American industry gains steam

9 July 2019
Beijing's attempt to make up for decreased U.S. soybean imports with increased domestic production has failed to produce results while angering farmers.
Trade war

China's soybean production push withers as subsidies dry up

Government fails on handout promise to farmers, stunting growth of crucial crop

28 June 2019
Formosa Ha Tinh Steel is having second thoughts about building a third blast furnace at this steel plant in central Vietnam.
Economy

Vietnam shivers as China's steel capacity glut returns

Formosa Ha Tinh Steel considers holding off on blast furnace construction

24 June 2019
BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie discusses Chinese demand on June 19. (Photo by Manami Yamada)
Commodities

BHP chief gives Chinese economy thumbs up

Infrastructure drive lifts demand for iron ore and coal amid trade war

22 June 2019
An oil tanker is on fire in the sea of Oman on June 13: Asian governments must quickly assess the threat and respond.
Opinion

Asia has most to lose if Middle East turmoil hits oil supplies

As US-Iran tensions, can crude importers defend their interests?

21 June 2019
Top Glove says short-term volatility in rubber prices is "to be expected."
Companies

Top Glove rebounds after weak earnings hammer stock

Analysts upbeat on future earnings prospects as glove maker raises selling price

19 June 2019
The price of tilapia skin has been on the rise since end-2017. 
15 June 2019
A satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime choke point with Iran situated at the top with Qeshm Island and the United Arab Emirates to the South.
Commodities

Tanker attack rings alarm bells for oil-reliant Japan

'Iran did it' Trump says, pointing to a video of a boat at the blast site

15 June 2019
China is a major supplier of a variety of rare earth minerals that are essential to several key technologies including electric car motors. (Photo courtesy of Advanced Material Japan)
Trade war

China starts work on vast new rare earth mine

Move comes as country reviews using metals in US trade war

15 June 2019
An Iranian navy boat sprays water to extinguish a fire on an oil tanker in the sea of Oman on June 13.
Energy

Asian oil importers on alert for ripples from tanker attacks

Gold price climbs to four-month high as investors seek safe haven assets

14 June 2019
Stream article image
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's May palm oil inventory falls to 10-month low

Still worries over tapering demand cloud prospects of sharp uptick in price

12 June 2019
China raised tariffs on American LNG to 25% on Saturday in retaliation to higher U.S. tariffs.
Trade war

American LNG exports threatened as China turns to Russian sources

Trade war with Beijing shakes Washington's 'energy independent' policy

7 June 2019
When government officials abruptly revealed  that the drilling project had been abandoned after its failure to find any gas or oil reserves, Khan and his government faced rapidly mounting criticism.
Politics

Imran Khan under fire after Pakistan fails to find offshore oil

Critics say prime minister trying to deflect attention from massive IMF loan

3 June 2019
Illegal steel made from scrap is again appearing in China, raising fears of a renewed glut on international markets.
Commodities

Are China's 'zombie' steelmakers reviving?

International steel market frets over signs that illegal steel is once again flowing

2 June 2019
Sime Darby predicts output of fresh-fruit bunches to improve in 2019, barring any anomalous weather events.
Nikkei Markets

Sime Darby Plantation's net profit slumps 70% on year

Lower price of crude palm oil, kernel weighs as company flags challenging times

31 May 2019
The impact of the weakening cotton market is spreading outside the U.S. and China. 
Commodities

Cotton market unravels amid US-China tariff battle

New York futures touch lows not seen in nearly three years

30 May 2019
A Ford Motor worker operates a Creaform laser scanning measuring device at the Ford Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan. Rare earths are used in applications ranging from magnets, lasers and superconductors to camera lenses and cancer treatments. 
Trade war

China unsheathes rare-earth dominance in trade war

Officials suggest cutting off supplies to US, which relies on Beijing for 80% of imports

30 May 2019
U.S. players will likely seek out alternatives to Chinese rare earths should Beijing impose an export ban.
Commodities

Minor-metal stocks gain on fears of Beijing rare-earth ban

Japan and Australian miners seen as option if trade war cuts Chinese supply

23 May 2019
Oversupply of stainless steel in China is raising concerns among Japanese traders.
Commodities

China trade conflict reverberates in Asian stainless steel market

Oversupply limits room for price rise, spreading anxiety in Japan

20 May 2019
Rio Tinto's fleet of autonomous trucks has helped improve output efficiency at iron ore mines.
Commodities

Australia iron ore miners see a light at the end of the tunnel

Chinese economic stimulus to give Rio Tinto and BHP a leg up

17 May 2019
The Kharg Island Oil Terminal: Iranian exports are expected to remain locked out of the market for the foreseeable future.
Opinion

Asian crude importers can join hands over Iran sanctions

Opportunity for India and China to launch oil buyers' club after Trump's waiver ban

17 May 2019
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross at a conference in April. His department said May 13 that it will add six Chinese companies to its list of entities effectively barred from receiving exports of controlled American technologies.
Trade war

US to bar 6 Chinese entities from receiving sensitive tech

Subjects allegedly aided Iranian weapons programs and Chinese military

14 May 2019