【SMM Steel】On May 26, 2026, Ukraine's Ministry of Economy initiated an anti-dumping investigation on hot-rolled bars in coils from China under Resolution No. AD-602/2026/441-01. Products covered include carbon steel bars 5-14mm and alloy steel bars 5-32mm (excluding high-speed steel and welding wire). The investigation period runs from 2022 to October 2025. Affected Ukrainian customs codes: 7213.91.10.00, 7213.91.41.00, 7213.91.49.00, 7213.91.70.00, 7213.91.90.00, 7227.20.00.00, 7227.90.10.00, 7227.90.50.00, 7227.90.95.00. This is Ukraine's sixth AD probe on Chinese products since April 2024.

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in April 2026, China exported 5.46 million mt of steel sheets & plates, down 17.5% YoY; cumulative exports from January to April totaled 20.06 million mt, down 16.6% YoY. In April, China exported 1.81 million mt of steel bars, up 14.3% YoY; cumulative exports from January to April totaled 6.05 million mt, up 5.9% YoY. In April, China exported 640,000 mt of angle steel and sections, up 7.1% YoY; cumulative exports from January to April totaled 2.55 million mt, up 14.9% YoY.

[SMM Steel] South Korea’s Korea Trade Commission initiated an anti-dumping investigation into specialty steel bar and rod imports from China following complaints from local producers SeAH Besteel and SeAH Changwon Special Steel. The investigation covers imports from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, and will assess whether low-priced Chinese imports caused injury to the domestic industry. Authorities may impose provisional AD duties if preliminary findings confirm dumping and material injury.

Turkish exporter Nikel Paslanmaz has unveiled a $150 million investment plan to enhance its production and global reach. The company will spend $100 million on an integrated stainless steel bar facility in Sakarya, set for a late 2028 launch, and another $50 million on a 50,000-ton cold-rolling sheet plant in Kocaeli by late 2027. Internationally, it plans to establish a 50,000-ton stainless service center in the UK with a $4 million investment. Board member Kemal Yalgın emphasized that with Turkey importing nearly 700,000 tons of stainless steel annually, shifting toward integrated domestic production is a strategic necessity for the nation's industry.

【SMM Steel】South Korea's KTC launched an AD investigation into alloy steel bars and rods from China following petitions by SeAH Besteel and SeAH Changwon Special Steel. The authority will examine injury from Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2025, focusing on 2025 pricing. Products are rolled/forged alloy steel bars/rods, excluding iron, carbon, and stainless steel, under HS codes 7214.10.0000, etc. A preliminary ruling is expected within three months, extendable by up to two months if necessary.

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in March 2026, China exported 5.28 million mt of steel sheets & plates, down 19.1% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 14.6 million mt, down 16.3% YoY. In March, China exported 1.92 million mt of steel bars, up 15.5% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 4.23 million mt, up 2.7% YoY.

The latest data from the General Administration of Customs showed that in February 2026, China exported 4.63 million mt of steel sheets & plates, down 12.6% YoY; cumulative exports for January and February totaled 9.33 million mt, down 14.5% YoY. In February, China exported 1.19 million mt of steel bars, down 7.7% YoY; cumulative exports for January and February totaled 2.32 million mt, down 5.9% YoY.

【SMM Steel】Ukraine extended AD duties on steel bars from Belarus and Moldova for five years. Rates: Belarus 47.31-79.27%, Moldova 13.8-35.37%. It also expanded curbs to include Malaysian coated carbon steel flats. An investigation found Chinese producers used fake Malaysian certificates to bypass duties. The 30.76-48.14% AD rates on China now apply to Malaysia. Officials say this protects domestic output and jobs per WTO rules.

[Xining's 10,000-mt-scale Waste Lithium-ion Battery Processing Project Lands] Recently, the People's Government of Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County, Xining City, Qinghai Province, released the second public consultation information on the environmental impact report for the "Comprehensive Utilization Project (Phase II) for Hazardous and Solid Waste from Electrolytic Aluminum Production by Qinghai Haiding Group Qinghai Dingneng Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd." The advancement of this project holds significant importance for local resource recycling and ecological environmental protection. The project is located on the north side of Qingping Road in Beichuan Industrial Park, Datong County, Xining City, with an investment of 220 million yuan. Upon completion, it will achieve an annual processing capacity of 80,000 mt of overhaul slag and 20,000 mt of carbon slag, producing 3,108 mt of industrial-grade lithium carbonate, 2,124 mt of potassium chloride, 8,934 mt of sodium chloride, 9,796 mt of sulfate mixtures (a mixture of sodium sulphate and potassium sulphate), 17,928 mt of dry impermeable materials, 2,084 mt of magnesium fluoride, 26,214 mt of graphite powder, 30,840 mt of regenerated electrolyte, and 8,000 mt of steel bars annually.

Since the beginning of this year, significant progress has been made in major projects, with project funds being rapidly allocated. In Q1, infrastructure investment grew by 5.8%, an increase of 1.4 percentage points compared to the previous year. Recently, provinces such as Zhejiang and Hubei have seen a concentrated commencement of provincial-level major projects in Q2. From the perspective of project investment direction, industrial projects and new quality productive forces are clearly prioritized. Experts stated that, currently, in the face of a complex international environment, investment remains the "main force" in "supporting" China's economy. Entering Q2, with the acceleration of project construction and fund allocation, investment is expected to further...