On April 2, 2026, the White House ushered US steel trade policy into "Version 2.0." This strategic shift goes beyond simple tariff hikes. It uses full-value taxation and melt-and-pour traceability to block low-end imported raw materials, while applying structural tariff reductions to finished products to ease manufacturing inflation. Ultimately, this two-pronged approach aims to forcibly bring the global supply chain back to domestic US steel production.

On April 1, 2026, the launch ceremony for the Zhongke Liquid Sunshine (Shawan) Green Hydrogen Coupled Zero‑Carbon Liquid Sunshine Methanol Circular Economy Industrial Project was held in Shawan, Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang. As a flagship project of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan strategic hydrogen energy layout, the project has officially entered the construction phase. Led by the research team of Academician Li Can of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and developed by Zhongke Liquid Sunshine (Shawan) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd . , the project will build an integrated zero‑carbon circular economy system centered on wind‑solar power, green hydrogen, and methanol. It comprises three core modules: an annual output of 3.6 million tonnes of methanol, 13.5 GW of photovoltaic hydrogen production capacity, and an annual output of approximately one million tonnes of coal. Compared with conventional coal chemical industry, this model cuts coal consumption by two-thirds while enabling efficient utilization of green electricity and green hydrogen. The project adopts domestically developed oil‑methanol co‑refining technology to produce polyester fiber, supporting high‑value resource utilization in conjunction with Xinjiang’s textile industry. Multiple enterprises have participated in the joint construction, including China National Chemical Engineering Third Construction Co., Ltd. In alignment with national policies such as the West Hydrogen East Delivery pipeline initiative, the project will help upgrade Xinjiang’s wind and solar energy resources. It is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs, serve as a model for Xinjiang’s green energy transition, and support national energy security and low‑carbon development.

Recently, Nanning Urban Construction Investment Group and Huahui New Material Technology Co., Ltd. signed an agreement for the lithium/sodium battery dry-process separator intelligent manufacturing project. The total investment for the project is approximately 500 million yuan. It plans to build a new production line with an annual capacity of 1 billion square meters of dry-process separators for lithium/sodium batteries. The project will introduce Guangxi's first new-generation dry-process uniaxial stretching and 4.2-meter-wide biaxial stretching battery separator production line. It is expected that upon reaching full capacity, the annual output value will be approximately 800 million yuan, creating 170 jobs, and establishing the first battery base film production base in Guangxi.

[SMM Tin Midday Commentary: Tin Prices Stabilized and Fluctuated Amid a Geopolitical Stalemate, While Spot Market Trading Turned Subdued]

SMM Nickel News, April 3: Macro and market news: (1) Iran and Oman were drafting an agreement aimed at implementing "passage regulation" for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while emphasizing that vessel passage would not be restricted. (2) The US officially adjusted tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, and also announced a plan to impose additional tariffs on pharmaceuticals from enterprises that had not reached agreements or had not reshored to the domestic market. Spot market: On April 3, the SMM price of #1 refined nickel rose by 200 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums, Jinchuan #1 refined nickel averaged 3,650 yuan/mt, unchanged from the previous trading day; China mainstream electrodeposited nickel brands were at -600-400 yuan/mt. Futures market: The most-traded SHFE nickel contract (2605) moved sideways, closing at 134,260 yuan/mt as of this morning session, up 0.07%. In the short term, tighter Indonesian policies and cost support built a solid bottom for nickel prices, but high inventory and weak end-use demand capped upside room. The core trading range of the most-traded SHFE nickel contract is expected at 133,000-143,000 yuan/mt.

An investor asked on the interactive platform: What is the commissioning status of the Anhui Phase II project and the subsequent commissioning plan? On April 1, Shunbo Alloy stated that the Anhui Phase II project planned an annual production project of 630,000 mt of low-carbon, environmentally friendly aluminum alloy slab ingots and an annual production project of 500,000 mt of green, recycled, high-performance aluminum plate/sheet and strip. According to the Prospectus, from 2026 to 2028, the sales volume of aluminum plate/sheet and strip is expected to reach 120,000 mt, 240,000 mt, and 400,000 mt, respectively. The specific situation is subject to the company’s subsequent relevant announcements.

[SMM Nickel Flash] Iran and Oman to Jointly Manage the Strait of Hormuz Iran and Oman have drafted an agreement to jointly manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi. He stated the requirements are not restrictions but aim to facilitate navigation, ensure safety, and provide better services. Even in peacetime, vessel traffic should be under the supervision of the two coastal states. Iran is also studying the imposition of transit fees, though specific amounts have not yet been determined.

The escalating conflict in the Gulf, involving Israel, the 'US', and Iran, has caused a structural shift in global energy markets that extends far beyond short-term volatility. According to research firm Pexapark, attacks on liquified natural gas ('LNG') infrastructure have amplified this impact, shifting the focus from temporary logistical disruptions to medium-term supply risks. This evolving dynamic has direct and significant consequences for global electricity markets, power purchase agreements ('PPAs'), and the battery energy storage system ('BESS') sector.

[SMM Brass Bar Flash News] Looking ahead to April, enterprises reported that current order momentum has cooled somewhat compared with the initial period after the Chinese New Year, but the refrigeration sector still maintained a certain degree of support. Large enterprises maintained an active production stance and continued to capture market share. SMM expects the operating rate in April to increase slightly by 1.47 percentage points MoM to 54.06%.

[SMM Lead Morning Meeting Summary: Macro Uncertainty + Approaching Holiday, Lead Prices Are Expected to Remain in a Consolidation Pattern] US President Trump claimed on his own that he had achieved an “overwhelming victory” in the war against Iran and would launch extremely fierce strikes in the next two to three weeks. As of Friday, with parts of the European and US markets closed for Good Friday and China also approaching the Qingming Festival holiday, SHFE lead did not conduct night session trading on Friday...