LME 3M aluminium prices came under pressure after the U.S. tariff announcement on 2 April, driven by concerns over weakening global demand and rising trade uncertainty. High tariffs are expected to disrupt Southeast Asia’s exports of aluminium products to the U.S., dampening primary aluminium consumption. Risk-off sentiment also led to long liquidation, further weighing on prices.

The MJP aluminium premium has surged to $245–260 per tonne for Q2 2025, far exceeding Japan’s domestic spot price and raising concerns about its role as Asia’s benchmark. Despite this, buyers continue accepting higher premiums to secure stable supply, as producers prioritize shipments to higher-paying markets like the U.S. and Europe. With Japan’s aluminium imports declining, its influence in price negotiations has weakened, shifting power to global suppliers. While MJP is still widely used, its relevance is being questioned as Southeast Asia’s aluminium market grows, potentially paving the way for a more regionally representative pricing model.

On April 13, the US and the UK announced new trading restrictions on Russian aluminum, copper and nickel.

On 13 April 2024, the United States and the United Kingdom announced new trade restrictions against Russian aluminium, copper, and nickel, prohibiting the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) from accepting these metals produced in Russia from 13 April onwards. Moreover,......

Approved by the State Council, the Ministry of Finance will issue 30 billion yuan of bills in Hong Kong in 2023.

Shanxi Zhangze Elec Power stated on the interactive platform that the current coal price under long-term contracts is lower than the market coal price, and the market coal price is set to fall.