The core logic of the South American steel market is that end-user demand drives everything. Consumption demand is the starting point, filled jointly by local production and imports; imports act as a regulating valve rather than a driving force.

Among them, the Gulf region was an important consumer market for China in the Middle East: China’s exports of aluminum plate/sheet and strip to Saudi Arabia reached 42,500 mt, and aluminum foil 58,000 mt; exports of aluminum plate/sheet and strip to the UAE reached 103,500 mt, and aluminum foil 93,800 mt; the other four countries (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman) accounted for combined exports of about 22,000 mt of aluminum plate/sheet and strip and about 11,000 mt of aluminum foil.

◼ At the beginning of 2026, Musk’s SpaceX plan for 100 GW of annual space PV capacity ignited the A-share market, with multiple concept stocks rising by more than 30 in a single month. At the same time, however, earnings previews from leading PV companies generally showed losses for 2025, and industry fundamentals remained in a deep winter. Behind the stark divergence between the speculative frenzy around the Musk-SpaceX concept and the earnings trough, is the market overly expecting a “second growth curve,” or is this a genuine signal of industrial transformation? ◼ As the global PV industry moves from rapid expansion into a new stage of rational development, its value has gone beyond that of clean energy alone: Against the backdrop of explosive growth in AI computing power driving massive electricity demand, compounded by energy security anxiety triggered by geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, developing PV may become a core strategic choice for countries to achieve their “dual-carbon” goals, build autonomous and controllable energy systems, and reduce electricity costs for end-users. ◼ Since the escalation of the U.S.-Iran conflict at the end of February, the world’s four major benchmark crude oil prices have entered a rapid upward trajectory. Before the outbreak of the conflict, oil prices had remained broadly stable; however, starting on March 2, as the fighting expanded and spread to the Persian Gulf, oil prices immediately entered a sharp uptrend. Note: Shanghai crude oil prices are converted based on the settlement-date exchange rate of 1:0.15. Source: Public information, SMM. ◼ Although the impact borne by different regions varies due to differences in energy mix, geopolitical location, and policy response, the surge in imported crude oil costs driving a broad rise in energy prices has become a common challenge facing all countries. Europe is a case in point. Although Europe’s direct dependence on Middle Eastern crude oil was not high, at only about 5 according to data from energy market intelligence firm Kpler, it remained highly dependent on the region for refined products such as diesel and aviation kerosene, as well as liquefied natural gas. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the conflict directly pushed up Europe’s terminal energy prices—fuel prices at gas stations across the region surged, and natural gas prices broke above EUR 60 per megawatt hour on the 9th, reaching a new high since 2022. The continued rise in energy prices is bound to transmit into broader areas of the economy, increasing overall inflationary pressure and once again underscoring the importance of building secure and controllable energy systems. Accelerating the Clean Transition of the Global Energy Mix, the PV Industry Advances Toward High-Quality Development ◼ The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that, despite economic pressure, global electricity demand momentum remains strong in 2025, with growth rates in 2025 and 2026 expected to be 3.3% and 3.7%, respectively. Data from 2020 to 2025 showed that the global power market followed a trajectory of continued overall growth alongside structural transition toward cleaner energy , with the share of renewable energy sources such as solar rising significantly, although fossil fuels still accounted for the dominant share. ◼ According to the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions Scenario, solar power’s share in the energy mix is expected to rise from less than 2% at present to 12% in 2035 and 28% in 2050. This means PV installations are still far from reaching their ceiling, with substantial room for future growth. ◼ The past five years marked a critical period in which the global PV market shifted from rapid expansion toward rational development. The IEA forecasts that total global new PV installations over the next five years will reach about 3.68 TW, accounting for nearly 80% of new renewable energy additions over the same period, and are expected to become the world’s largest renewable energy source by the end of 2030. This is mainly due to its widening economic advantages—by 2024, the cost of solar PV power generation had already fallen 41% below the cheapest fossil fuel alternative, and these cost advantages are driving rapid growth in both PV installations and power generation share. Source: IEA, public information, SMM. ◼ As a key carrier of PV installations, especially the backbone of utility-scale power plants, solar panel mounting bracket installations are expected to maintain annual average growth of 5%-6% alongside installation growth. Specifically, to achieve annual average new PV installations of 500-600 GW, corresponding module demand is estimated at about 550-700 GW based on the capacity ratio. Assuming a conventional 1:1 module-to-bracket configuration, the annual average installation scale of brackets required for utility-scale PV plants alone would reach at least 250-300 GW. Source: public information, SMM. Escalating Challenges Reshape the Development Logic of the Global PV Market ◼ The PV industry is undergoing resonating internal and external pressures. Internally, the global economic slowdown has become intertwined with social issues, while the industry itself has entered a rational development stage after rapid expansion, making slower installation growth a certain trend. Externally, global trade frictions continue to intensify, with the US, Europe, and other regions erecting nearly insurmountable cost gaps through barriers such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties as well as local content requirements. Challenge 1: Global Trade Frictions and Escalating Trade Barriers ◼ In recent years, countries have introduced a series of policies to build PV trade barriers and reshape the global competitive landscape of the industry. The US imposed “double anti-” duties of as much as 3,403.96% on PV products from four Southeast Asian countries, South Africa raised module tariffs to 10%, and Brazil increased out-of-quota tariffs sharply from 9.6% to 25% through a quota system. Market access requirements for PV in India and Türkiye have also become increasingly stringent. Meanwhile, new supply chain control rules represented by the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) have extended trade barriers deeper into the industry chain. By setting red lines on “third-country dependence,” they have established quantitative standards for supply chain restructuring. This series of changes has reshaped the competitive dimensions of the international PV industry and significantly raised the threshold for PV product imports and exports. Source: public information, SMM. Challenge 2: New Dynamics in the PV Market, with Incentive and Restrictive Policies Coexisting Source: public information, SMM. Outside China Enterprises Pursue Multi-Dimensional Breakthroughs Through Internal and External Efforts ◼ The practices of solar panel mounting bracket enterprises in the US, India, and other countries show that the key to coping with policy shifts overseas lies in combining “service-oriented” and “high-value” strategies. First, vertically extending from single-equipment sales to a service ecosystem covering the entire life cycle. Second, deepening horizontally by continuously optimizing business structure and extracting value from higher value-added segments. Solution 1: Launch Dedicated Plans Closely Aligned with Government Policies and Local Demand ◼ The global PV industry has now entered a new stage deeply reshaped by both market forces and policy. The growth logic of enterprises is shifting from the past single dimension of relying on technology iteration and cost declines to multi-dimensional competition closely integrating complex policy environments with localized demand. Against this backdrop, the key to corporate success lies in accurately interpreting policy intentions and launching development plans aligned with both market and policy. Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) precisely aligned with India’s “PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana” and launched the dedicated “solar for every home” plan while continuing to provide customized PV solutions. In Q1 FY2026, it added 220 MW of new rooftop PV installations, surging 416% YoY. TPREL also actively responded to local manufacturing policies by establishing 4.3 GW of solar cell and module capacity, ensuring supply while avoiding import tariffs. Through the synergy of “policy response + local capacity + customized services,” TPREL has effectively translated policy dividends into market competitiveness and steadily consolidated its leading position in India’s PV market. Solution 2: Use Acquisitions as a Link to Integrate Resources and Extend from Single Products to the Entire Industry Chain ◼ Competition in the global PV industry has fully escalated into a contest of entire industry chain system integration capabilities, and enterprises’ growth engines are shifting from past reliance on advantages in a single segment to a new model of providing integrated solutions through resource integration. In 2025, Nextracker used acquisitions as the core to integrate resources across the full chain, successively acquiring foundation engineering firms such as Solar Pile International and Ojjo, module supporting firms such as Origami Solar, and electrical system firms such as Bentek, thereby building a full-chain product matrix spanning structural, electrical, and digital solutions. Its performance continued to surge, with revenue rising from $1.9 billion in FY2023 to $3.4 billion in the trailing twelve months ended September 2025. It ultimately announced its transformation into a comprehensive energy solutions provider by renaming itself Nextpower, targeting revenue of more than $5.6 billion in FY2030. This strategy enabled its successful transformation from a single-product supplier into an entire industry chain service provider, solidifying its leading position in the global market. Solution 3: Optimize Business Structure ◼ Trade protectionism in the current PV market continues to intensify, with various trade barriers being layered on one after another. In response to this challenge, PV enterprises can achieve the dual objectives of “compliant operations” and “market retention” through business structure optimization. To avoid the equity constraints on FEOC under the US OBBB Act, Canadian Solar Inc. initiated a US business restructuring with its controlling shareholder CSIQ: it established two new joint ventures to separately manage PV and energy storage businesses, with its own stake set at 24.9% to precisely meet compliance requirements. At the same time, it transferred out 75.1% equity in three overseas plants supplying the US market, receiving a one-off consideration of 352 million yuan. This move enabled Canadian Solar Inc. to retain earnings from the US market through dividends and rental income. In the first three quarters of 2025, it achieved net profit of 990 million yuan, while large-scale energy storage shipments rose 32% YoY. After the adjustment, it focused on strengthening its advantages in non-US markets and successfully stabilized its global business layout with a compliant structure, providing a typical model for the industry in addressing trade barriers. ◼ For Chinese enterprises, in the face of trade frictions and overseas capacity gaps, they need to break through via three paths—“building plants near core markets, reducing costs and improving efficiency through technological innovation, and coordinating both within and outside the industry chain”— by pursuing localized deployment in Southeast Asia, Mexico, and other regions to avoid frequent trade frictions; promoting standardized production and high-end product R&D to enhance competitiveness; and building a “China + overseas” dual-circulation supply chain to stabilize costs. However, overseas expansion still faces challenges such as land and environmental protection costs, talent shortages, and supply chain fluctuations, requiring enterprises to conduct sound risk assessments, leverage policy support, and improve overseas investment service systems. Only by deeply integrating scientific capacity deployment, technological innovation, and industry chain coordination can the mounting bracket industry upgrade from “Made in China” to “Globally Intelligent Manufacturing” and achieve long-term development under the “dual carbon” goals. New Requirements Under the 15th Five-Year Plan, New Topics for PV Enterprises ◼ In a global market full of uncertainties, the consistency and strength of domestic policy have provided fertile ground for the growth of China’s solar panel mounting bracket enterprises. The newly released 15th Five-Year Plan further clarified China’s path for energy and industrial development. On the one hand, the construction of a new-type power system centered on consumption capacity has been listed as a priority task, and green manufacturing and full life cycle management have been formally incorporated into the assessment system. On the other hand, technological self-reliance and self-strengthening together with new quality productive forces have replaced scale competition as the main line of the new development stage. This series of changes signals that the country is driving a profound shift from “competing on capacity” to “competing on system value,” with the core goal of achieving autonomous and controllable energy structure. It is estimated that after the Two Sessions, various departments will successively roll out detailed plans to promote the full implementation of the blueprint. ◼ Key implementation measures include: 1) establishing a “dual controls” system for total carbon emissions and carbon intensity, while improving incentive and restraint mechanisms; 2) vigorously developing non-fossil energy and promoting the efficient use of fossil energy, while strengthening the construction of a new-type power system to ensure stable supply of green electricity; 3) applying both “addition and subtraction” by fostering green and low-carbon industries and promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction in key industry; 4) in addition, accelerating the green transformation of production and lifestyles to consolidate the foundation for green development. ◼ From the perspective of regional development layout, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China’s PV industry will show characteristics of regional coordination: north-west China will become the strategic focus by virtue of its natural endowments, exporting electricity through cross-provincial green electricity trading and other means to achieve two-way matching between energy resources and power load; eastern regions, by contrast, will focus on local consumption by high-energy-consuming industries and zero-carbon industrial parks. Source: public information, SMM. ◼ SMM forecasts that China’s new PV installations are expected to reach 208 GW in 2025 and continue growing at an annual average rate of 9% over the next five years, exceeding 292 GW by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Utility-scale PV will remain dominant, with its installation share staying above 50%. Based on the same logic, we estimate that China’s PV installation market will maintain annual incremental growth of at least 100-120 GW. Source: public information, SMM. ◼ Focusing on China’s steel consumption market for solar panel mounting brackets, SMM estimates that annual steel consumption in China’s PV mounting bracket sector will average about 4-4.5 million mt from 2026 to 2030, accounting for about 30% of total steel consumption in the PV industry over the same period (based on 2026 data). Note: only installation demand for utility-scale PV mounting brackets is included, excluding distributed steel structures, replacement from existing asset depreciation, and exports. Source: public information, SMM. SMM Ferrous Consulting Based on its understanding of the global steel industry chain and regional markets, as well as its strong industry database and network resources, SMM is committed to providing clients with consulting services across the upstream, midstream, and downstream industry chain. Services include market supply and demand research and forecasts, market entry strategies, competitor cost research, and more, covering end-use industry from iron ore, coal, coke, and steel. SMM Ferrous has successfully served more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies, China Top 500 companies, central state-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises, publicly listed firms, and start-ups. 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The beginning of 2026 did not bring the calm usually expected in the global stainless steel industry chain ahead of the traditional Lunar New Year offseason. Instead, under the double pincer attack of surging raw material costs and escalating trade protectionism, the market is undergoing a violent restructuring.

The State Council Information Office held a press conference at 10 a.m. today. Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Director of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of National Economy, introduced the performance of China's national economy in May 2025 and answered questions from journalists. NBS: Economic Performance in May Generally Stable, with Continued Improvement in Some Indicators At the press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Fu Linghui stated that the economy performed generally stable in May, with continued improvement in some indicators. New growth drivers expanded, and the momentum of high-quality development continued, demonstrating the strong resilience and vitality of China's economy. In May, influenced by factors such as the trade-in policy for consumer goods, market sales growth accelerated. Total retail sales of consumer goods in May increased by 6.4% YoY, with the growth rate accelerating by 1.3 percentage points compared to the previous month. From January to May, service retail sales increased by 5.2%, accelerating by 0.1 percentage point compared to the January-April period. The acceleration of consumption growth, especially the expansion of service consumption, is also boosting related service industries. In May, the production indices of the wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and catering industries all accelerated compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, new growth drivers such as high-end manufacturing, the digital economy, and the new energy industry continued to expand, effectively promoting industrial transformation and ensuring stable economic performance. NBS: China's Policy Toolbox is Well-Stocked, with Macro Policies Held in Reserve At the press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Fu Linghui stated that since the beginning of this year, China has implemented more proactive macro policies, intensified counter-cyclical adjustments, and accelerated the implementation of major national strategies and the development of security capabilities in key areas ("two majors") and the program of large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins ("two news"). These efforts have effectively enhanced the vitality of consumption, driven production growth, and promoted transformation and upgrading, fully demonstrating the important role of macro policies in stabilizing economic performance. In the next stage, China's policy toolbox is well-stocked, with macro policies held in reserve. They can be dynamically adjusted and actively responded to according to changes in the situation, and will continue to safeguard the stable operation of the economy. NBS: Youth Unemployment Rate Declines for Three Consecutive Months, Employment Situation Remains Stable At the press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Fu Linghui stated that the surveyed urban unemployment rate in China was 5.0% in May, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the previous month. Among them, the unemployment rate of the main employment group remained stable, and the youth unemployment rate declined for three consecutive months, indicating a continued stable employment situation. NBS: The Decline in China's Goods Imports is the Result of Multiple Factors At the press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Fu Linghui stated that since the beginning of this year, the decline in China's goods imports is the result of multiple factors. Since the beginning of this year, affected by the uncertainty of international trade policies, the growth momentum of the global economy has weakened, and global trade growth has also slowed down, which inevitably affects the growth of China's imports. Meanwhile, some countries have intensified trade restrictive measures, which have also had some adverse impacts on China's imports. In addition, international commodity prices have declined significantly this year, particularly energy prices. As a major importer of energy and raw materials, the decline in commodity prices has affected the growth of China's import value, as seen in the import values of products such as iron ore, crude oil, coal, and soybeans. Fu Linghui stated that while the import value of some commodities has declined, China's imports of major industrial products have maintained growth. In the first five months, the import value of mechanical and electrical products increased by 6% YoY, with imports of automatic data processing equipment and its parts, as well as integrated circuits, increasing by 69% and 7.3%, respectively. In the next stage, with the continuous expansion of domestic demand and the orderly expansion of independent and unilateral opening-up, China's vast market will undoubtedly provide greater opportunities and more choices for the world. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): The real estate market continues to move towards stabilizing and recovering Fu Linghui stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that since the beginning of this year, with the accelerated implementation of various policies to stabilize the real estate market, the market has continued to move towards stabilizing and recovering. Judging from the situation in May, the real estate market has generally operated smoothly. The YoY decline in housing prices in 70 large and medium-sized cities has continued to narrow, and the inventory of commercial housing has continued to decrease. From the perspective of market transactions, under the influence of various policies to stabilize the real estate market, real estate sales have remained generally stable. From January to May, the sales area and sales volume of newly-built commercial housing decreased by 2.9% and 3.8% YoY, respectively, which was basically flat compared to January-April. Market transactions in some first-tier and second-tier cities have been relatively active, with the sales area and sales volume of commercial housing maintaining growth. From the perspective of market prices, the YoY decline in the selling prices of newly-built commercial residential buildings has continued to narrow. In May, the YoY decline in the selling prices of commercial residential buildings in most of the 70 large and medium-sized cities continued to narrow. Among them, the YoY decline in the selling prices of newly-built commercial residential buildings in first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier cities narrowed by 0.4, 0.4, and 0.5 percentage points, respectively, compared to the previous month. The YoY decline in the selling prices of second-hand residential buildings narrowed by 0.5, 0.4, and 0.5 percentage points, respectively. From the perspective of commercial housing inventory, the area of commercial housing pending sale in May decreased by 7.15 million m² compared to month-end April, marking a decline for three consecutive months. Fu Linghui emphasized that, overall, the policies to promote the stabilization and recovery of the real estate market have continued to show effects, and the real estate market operated generally smoothly in May. However, it should be noted that the real estate market is still in the process of adjustment, market confidence needs to be continuously restored, and the supply-demand relationship in the market still needs to be improved. Continuous efforts are still required to promote the stabilization and recovery of the real estate market. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): The Fourth National Agricultural Census is currently in the preparation stage Fu Linghui stated that the State Council recently issued a notice, deciding to conduct the Fourth National Agricultural Census in 2026. This is a major national survey of national conditions and national strength conducted on the new journey of comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization. In accordance with the provisions of the Statistics Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations on National Agricultural Census, the agricultural census is conducted once every ten years, with the year ending in 6 designated as the census year. In 2026, China will conduct its fourth National Agricultural Census. The main objective is to comprehensively understand the current state of "agriculture, rural areas, and farmers" in the new era, objectively reflect new developments in agricultural development, new appearances in rural construction, new changes in rural life, and new achievements in rural reforms. This census is of great significance for formulating scientific policies on "agriculture, rural areas, and farmers," promoting comprehensive rural revitalization, accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, and building a strong agricultural country. Currently, the preparations for the fourth National Agricultural Census are underway, primarily focusing on establishing census organizations, developing census plans, and conducting pilot censuses. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): Vigorously Increase the Supply of High-Quality Products and Actively Promote the Improvement and Expansion of Service Consumption Fu Linghui stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that, overall, the economy has maintained stable operation. The effects of the trade-in policy for consumer goods have continued to emerge, and the vitality of the consumer market has gradually strengthened. Looking ahead, new forms and models of consumption, such as live-streaming e-commerce and instant retail, are becoming increasingly mature. The silver-hair economy, first-launch economy, and low-altitude economy are developing rapidly, and new growth points in the consumption economy are constantly emerging. However, it should also be noted that residents' consumption capacity and confidence still need to be improved, and the endogenous momentum of consumption needs to be enhanced. In the next stage, it is necessary to further implement the "Special Action Plan for Boosting Consumption," focus on enhancing residents' consumption capacity and willingness, further improve the consumption environment, vigorously increase the supply of high-quality products, actively promote the improvement and expansion of service consumption, and facilitate the stable development of the consumer market. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): Continuously Promote Urban Renewal and Renovation of Dilapidated Houses, and Increase the Construction and Supply of "Good Houses" Fu Linghui stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that, in the next stage, it is necessary to conscientiously implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, actively adapt to the reality of significant changes in the supply-demand relationship in the real estate market, continuously promote urban renewal and renovation of dilapidated houses, increase the construction and supply of "good houses," facilitate the release of rigid and improvement-oriented housing demand, actively construct a new model for real estate development, and promote the steady and healthy development of the real estate market. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): Despite Many External Uncertainties and Instabilities, China's Comprehensive Advantages in Foreign Trade Development Remain Evident Fu Linghui stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that in May, China's foreign trade continued to withstand pressure and maintained steady growth. In May, China's total import and export volume of goods increased by 2.7%, and exports increased by 6.3%, maintaining steady and relatively rapid growth. According to data from market institutions, the new export orders index of the global manufacturing PMI in May was below the 50 mark and remained in contraction territory for two consecutive months. The negative impacts of trade protectionism and uncertainties on global trade growth have gradually emerged. Against this backdrop, China's trade in goods has maintained growth, demonstrating the strong international competitiveness and resilience of its foreign trade. Amid a complex and challenging international environment, with the rise of unilateralism and protectionism severely impacting the international economic and trade order, China's foreign trade has maintained steady growth. This is attributable to China's unwavering commitment to expanding opening-up, actively promoting the diversified development of foreign trade, as well as the high-end, intelligent, and green development of its industries, the upgrading of product structures, and the enhancement of market competitiveness. It is also due to China's active support for the development of foreign trade enterprises, creating favorable conditions for foreign trade development through measures such as improving trade facilitation. In the next stage, there will be many external uncertain and unstable factors, which will bring certain pressure to China's foreign trade growth. However, China's comprehensive advantages in foreign trade development remain evident, and the continuous expansion of high-level opening-up based on mutual benefit and win-win results will continue to support the steady development of foreign trade.

As the world places increasing emphasis on the sustainable use of resources and environmental protection, the status of the secondary metal market within the global metal industry has become increasingly prominent.

2025 (Phase IV) SMM Southeast Asia Industry Field Trip Amidst the ever-changing global economic landscape, manufacturing enterprises worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges. The macroeconomic environment remains volatile, with frequent geopolitical conflicts and rising trade protectionism, leading to sharp fluctuations in industrial material prices and making cost control difficult. The domestic market is experiencing intense competition, with significant overcapacity issues. Enterprises are struggling to survive amid cut-throat competition, with profit margins continuously being squeezed. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian market is emerging as a rising star, brimming with potential. Its rapid economic growth and accelerated urbanization process, coupled with increasing investments in infrastructure, power engineering, and other sectors, have significantly stimulated demand for industrial products. Southeast Asia's abundant mineral resources also provide a solid raw material foundation for the development of the local manufacturing industry. Additionally, favorable local policies and significant labor cost advantages are attracting global capital and enterprises to establish a presence in the region. To help manufacturing enterprises seize the opportunities of the times and break through development bottlenecks, SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM) has meticulously organized the 2025 (Phase IV) SMM Southeast Asia Industry Field Trip . This field trip will delve deep into Southeast Asia, facilitating face-to-face exchanges with local high-quality enterprises, industrial parks, and industry associations. It will involve on-site visits to enterprises within the industry chain, enabling enterprises to gain a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia's industrial landscape, market dynamics, policies and regulations, as well as the investment environment. The aim is to build a bridge for enterprises to access the Southeast Asian market, explore cooperation opportunities, expand new business territories, tap into new growth momentum for industry development in this vibrant region, and achieve enterprise transformation, upgrading, and leapfrog development. Itinerary Visited Entities 1. Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone The Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone is a modern industrial zone developed jointly by China's Holley Group and Thailand's Amata Corporation in Thailand, targeting Chinese investors. With a total planned area of 20 km², it is located in the core area of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor. A large number of outstanding enterprises have already settled in the zone (including Zhejiang Zhongce, Zhejiang DunAn, Shenzhen CIMC, Jiangsu Dingsheng, AUX, and Dejinchang, among others). As a highly representative industrial zone in Thailand, we will engage in discussions with zone staff on topics such as the zone's basic information, the operational status of settled enterprises, and investment attraction policies. 2. Dejinchang Optoelectronics Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. It is the first overseas branch factory invested by Zhenxiong Copper Group. Established in March 2007 and officially put into operation the same year, it is located in the Amata Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone, covering an area of approximately 100,000 m² with a building area of about 48,000 m². Its registered capital is 460 million Thai baht, and the total investment is 3 billion Thai baht. The company is primarily engaged in the development and production of new materials for deep processing of various copper conductors (various copper wires). Its main products are copper wires, ranging from copper cathode to various types of copper wires, including bare copper wires, tinned wires, silver-plated wires, nickel-plated wires, alloy wires, as well as various specifications of single wires, stranded wires, and twisted wires. As a typical representative of copper wire drawing enterprises going global, we will exchange experiences and insights with Dejinchang on settling down, taking root, and developing in Southeast Asia, and seek business cooperation opportunities. 3. XINYA ELECTRONIC (THAILAND) CO., LTD The main businesses of Xinya Electronics and its series of subsidiaries include the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of consumer electronics and industrial control cables, automotive cables, communication cables and data cables, new energy series cables and components, etc. The company's end-user clients include well-known domestic and overseas brands such as Hisense, Gree, Midea, Daikin, Canon, Panasonic, Great Wall Motors, General Motors, BYD, NIO, Inspur, Huawei, Dell, HP, ZTE, CHINT, LONGi Group, Hengyineng, East, KUKA, and YASKAWA. We will head to this world-renowned electronic wire manufacturing enterprise. Please look forward to the spark of ideas and business opportunities that will emerge on-site. 4. C&D Inc. Xiamen C&D Inc. (stock code: 600153.SH) is a core member enterprise of Xiamen C&D Group Co., Ltd., a "Fortune Global 500" company. It is a modern service-oriented enterprise with dual main businesses of supply chain operations and real estate development. The company's business began in 1980 and was established and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in June 1998, initiated by Xiamen C&D Group Co., Ltd. In 2024, the company achieved operating revenue of RMB 701.296 billion and after-tax net profit of RMB 5.82 billion. As a supply chain company, C&D Inc. has long-standing presence and extensive resources in Southeast Asia. We will conduct in-depth exchanges with C&D Inc. in Southeast Asia to explore solutions for capital, logistics, and industrial resources in the Southeast Asian industry, and establish effective communication channels for long-term cooperation. 5. WHA Industrial Estates WHA Corporation Public Company Limited develops and operates 12 major industrial estates in Thailand, all of which are strategically located. The group has held the largest market share since 2008. WH currently has 12 operational industrial zones, with 11 in Thailand and 1 in Vietnam, and another 3 industrial zones are still under development. The industrial zones developed and constructed by WHA Group are mainly located in the eastern coastal region of Thailand and have currently formed numerous industrial clusters, including export-oriented industries such as automotive, petrochemical, electronics, and consumer goods. As an industrial estate with a broad scope of operations, WHA Industrial Estates has unique insights into the industrial development and policies of various regions in Southeast Asia. During our exchanges, we will learn about the enterprises that have already settled in the estate, WHA's investment attraction policies, and its insights into industrial development. 6. Malaysia Non-Ferrous Metals Association The Malaysia Non-Ferrous Metals Association (MNMA) was established to integrate the entire non-ferrous metals industry in Malaysia under one entity. Under this unified entity, the objectives are: to coordinate with government authorities and standardize the import codes for non-ferrous metals, particularly in relation to hazardous and non-hazardous waste; to serve as a communication bridge between industry participants and government authorities to promote aligned goals; to educate and self-regulate members in compliance with regulations, especially those related to environmental aspects; to drive the vibrant development of the upstream industry, thereby encouraging downstream investors to invest in Malaysia; to embrace global changes through interactive cooperation and collaborate with other associations worldwide; and to envision Malaysia as the central hub for the non-ferrous metals industry in Southeast Asia. During this exchange, we will listen to the representatives of the association as they introduce Malaysia's industrial blueprint, gain a detailed understanding of Malaysia's industrial planning, and refine each representative's future strategic planning in Malaysia through our exchanges. 7. METROD(MALAYSIA) SDN BHD METROD(MALAYSIA) SDN BHD is a leading manufacturer of copper rods, copper pipes & tubes, and copper busbars in Malaysia. The company commenced operations in 1981 and was listed on the Main Board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1996. Metrod's high-quality copper products are widely used in numerous applications, including power generation, transmission, and distribution, telecommunications, lightning protection, welding, electronic and automotive parts, electromagnetic coils, motors, compressors, transformers, and more. As a typical representative of local copper rod suppliers in Malaysia, we will engage in in-depth exchanges with METROD(MALAYSIA) SDN BHD and strive to reach cooperation in suitable areas for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. 8. Zhejiang Gang Lian Jie (Malaysia) Logistics Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Gang Lian Jie (Malaysia) Logistics Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2023, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Gang Lian Jie Logistics Technology Co., Ltd. and falls under the Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group system, making it a state-controlled enterprise. The company primarily engages in international freight forwarding for import and export. It extends the standardized processes and management systems within the recycled metals industry to Malaysia, using Malaysia as a hub to radiate throughout Southeast Asia and carry out related businesses. This encompasses international multimodal transport, covering bulk raw materials such as non-ferrous metals, plastic pellets, cold chain products, pulp, and glycerin. Gang Lianjie will introduce the import and export policies of various Southeast Asian countries during the exchange, with detailed answers provided for areas that differ from China. They can also offer one-stop customs services. (More visiting organizations will be updated continuously...) The following are optional itineraries (participation is voluntary, and a separate conference fee is required for attendance). 1. 2025 SMM (2nd) Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Summit (An additional conference fee of 5,000 yuan is required). Conference Time: June 12-13, 2025 Conference Venue: Hyatt Regency Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand Conference Official Website: https://global-renewable-metal-industry-chain-summit.smm.cn/home The 2024 SMM 1st Global Renewable Metal Industry Forum was held in Malaysia. The conference gathered recycling associations, government officials, and renowned enterprises in the renewable sector from various regions to discuss the current state and future development of the renewable industry. From 2024 to 2025, renewable metal policies have been continuously updated, and the industry has witnessed rapid development. To assist enterprises in navigating the changes in the renewable industry, align with industry standardization requirements, and provide a platform for business exchanges, SMM plans to hold the 2025 SMM 2nd Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Summit in Thailand from June 12-13, 2025. At this conference, you will efficiently gain access to customer resources, industry reports, and interpretations of renewable policies from various regions globally in the renewable metal and battery recycling industries. It is suitable for organizations and individuals concerned about renewable metals to participate. 2. 2025 SMM Southeast Asia (Thailand) Automotive Supply Chain Conference (An additional conference fee of 7,000 yuan is required). Conference Time: June 16-17, 2025 Conference Venue: Hyatt Regency Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand Conference Official Website: https://automotive-supply-chain.smm.cn/home In recent years, Southeast Asia has gradually become a crucial link in the global automotive industry due to its unique geographical advantages, abundant resources, and vast consumer market, offering rich supply and demand opportunities. As a regional leader, Thailand has attracted the attention of numerous Chinese NEV manufacturers. At this conference, SMM will invite experts, scholars, enterprise representatives, and government officials from the domestic and overseas automotive industries to participate, jointly explore new trends and models in the development of the automotive industry, share the latest technologies and innovative achievements, promote collaborative development and cooperation in the automotive industry, and facilitate the improvement and enhancement of the industry chain. Meanwhile, we hope that through this conference, we can help Chinese automotive industry chain enterprises better understand the overseas investment environment, leverage the complementary advantages of different countries and regions within the automotive industry, and jointly promote the healthy and sustainable development of the automotive industry. At this conference, you will efficiently gain access to customer resources, industry reports, and opportunities to discuss new materials, processes, and technologies in the automotive and supply chain industries. It is suitable for organizations and individuals interested in the automotive industry to participate. Note: Assembly point for the inspection tour: Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand For more information about the 2025 (Phase IV) SMM Southeast Asia Industry Inspection Tour , please contact: De'an Xu: 166.0190.90 Email: xudean@smm.cn

[SMM Analysis: Comparison of Aluminum Wheel Export Situation from March to April: Calm on the Surface, but Hidden Complexities?] Customs data shows that in April 2025, China exported a total of 81,400 mt of aluminum alloy wheel hubs, basically flat MoM compared to 82,000 mt in March, highlighting overall resilience, and with a significant YoY increase of 13%. The export performance of domestic aluminum wheels in April remained robust, with the better-than-expected performance attracting market attention. Since the US initiated a tariff war in early April, the aluminum wheel industry, which has accounted for over 30% of direct exports to the US in recent years, was expected to be "the first to bear the brunt," and the market's export expectations for the aluminum wheel industry were relatively pessimistic. However, the aluminum wheel export data for April appeared "calm," or even "serene," exceeding the expectations of most in the market...

According to media reports, the US Department of Commerce has made a preliminary ruling that there are subsidies for key battery components in China, believing that Chinese producers of active anode materials have received substantial government subsidies, paving the way for the subsequent imposition of countervailing duties.

Since the tariff reduction, multiple foreign institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Ningxia Ruiyin Lead Resource Recycling Co., Ltd., have expressed optimism about China's stock market. In a recent research report, Goldman Sachs raised its 12-month targets for the MSCI China Index and the CSI 300 Index to 84 and 4,600 points, respectively, implying potential upside of 11% and 17%. At the 2025 Global Investors Conference hosted by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Xing Ziqiang, Chief China Economist at Morgan Stanley, delivered a keynote speech titled "China's Economy Amidst Technological and Geopolitical Changes." In Xing's view, the US is experiencing an extremely rare "triple hit" in stocks, bonds, and currency, with the US dollar, as the global reserve currency, depreciating. This chain reaction has prompted the world to reconsider the long-held "US economic exceptionalism" and the absolute dominance of the US dollar over the past decades. Turning to Chinese assets, technological innovation has brought about a narrative shift. The cluster scale advantages of upstream and downstream industries in the industry chain, the demographic dividend, vast market demand, and the resilient spirit of private enterprises will all drive China to play an indispensable and important role in the next phase of the global technological revolution. During the on-site interview session at the conference, Shen Li, Managing Director and Head of China Onshore Equities at Morgan Stanley, stated that the progress of Sino-US trade negotiations has exceeded expectations, which is conducive to boosting international investors' risk appetite. At Morgan Stanley's China BEST Conference, over 80% of investors indicated that they are likely to increase their investment exposure to Chinese stocks in the near future. In a recent exclusive interview with Cailian Press, Wang Ying, Chief China Equity Strategist, expressed confidence in the market. She believes that the Hong Kong market is a crucial platform for global institutional investors to price Chinese assets. Currently, the pricing power of Hong Kong stocks has shown signs of gradually stabilizing, which is of great significance for rebuilding global investors' confidence in Chinese assets. Why are foreign investors bullish on Chinese assets? After a month of tariff frictions, a significant turning point has emerged. However, there may still be uncertainties in future tariffs, and the rise of trade protectionism globally cannot be ignored, as the global economic development still faces uncertainties. Xing Ziqiang stated that against this backdrop, China has ample room to maneuver in responding to shocks. There are four reasons: first, there is room for domestic policy stimulus to be intensified; second, the overall social livelihood still has the capacity to withstand pressures; third, the cluster advantages of the industry chain are difficult to replace in the short term; fourth, China has enormous potential for scientific and technological innovation in the next phase of the technological revolution. The intensification of policies has attracted particular market attention, especially in boosting domestic demand and consumption. Xing Ziqiang pointed out that the People's Bank of China has already taken the lead in introducing a package of monetary policies that will play a role in boosting confidence. During the Two Sessions held in March this year, stimulus policies were also formulated and announced for areas such as consumer goods subsidies, infrastructure, and technology. Since the beginning of the year, there has been active issuance of government bonds, which has strongly supported the overall growth of total social financing. It is expected that supplementary fiscal policies will be further introduced in the future. Xing Ziqiang also observed that China has expanded the opening-up of its service sector to many first- and second-tier cities, covering various fields such as healthcare, elderly care, and even culture. It has reduced entry barriers, allowing more private and foreign-funded enterprises to enter, which has also brought about new developments. A series of measures have been taken in the social security system since the beginning of the year, including gradually increasing the expenses for rural elderly care and medical insurance. The consolidation and reform of the crucial social security system are expected to gradually boost China's domestic consumption market. China's narrative on technological innovation has changed The emergence of DeepSeek has once again demonstrated China's advantages in the new round of global high-tech fields represented by artificial intelligence, which is also a focus of attention for foreign institutions. Recently, Morgan Stanley Research Department released a report elaborating on China's industrial advantages in artificial intelligence: Firstly, the "Report on China's Top 28 Frontier Industries" systematically sorts out 28 emerging enterprises in frontier industries ranging from intelligent driving, AI applications, to humanoid robots. These enterprises are expected to possess strong global competitiveness in the future. Secondly, according to Morgan Stanley's "China AI Hardware Self-Sufficiency Rate Index," it is projected that China will achieve a self-sufficiency rate of over 80% by 2027, including GPU chips. "The advantages of cluster scale in the upstream and downstream of the industry chain, the demographic dividend of talent, as well as the vast market demand and the resilient spirit of private enterprises are China's strengths in the technological field, which will drive China to play an indispensable and important role in the next phase of the global technological revolution," Xing Ziqiang pointed out. The talent advantage is particularly evident in the AI industry, stemming from China's years of demographic dividend of engineers. AI has always been supported by four main components, namely computing power, algorithms, data, and scenarios. Xing Ziqiang believes that China's current advantages in algorithms, data, and scenarios can compensate for its deficiencies in computing power—that is, by improving efficiency through algorithms, data, and scenarios, and accumulating more advantages in other aspects to make up for the lack of computing power. On the other hand, China has also made positive progress in computing power. For example, domestically produced chips and servers are being used for AI training. The current domestic self-sufficiency rate has reached 34%, and it is expected to rise to 82% by 2027. Xing Ziqiang believes that since last year, China's narrative logic in the global technological innovation landscape has undergone significant changes. Affected by the US technology containment policies, the development prospects of China's private enterprises experienced periodic fluctuations, and market confidence was once impacted. However, the industrial advantages and technological innovation capabilities in the next phase are inseparable from China, which has become a global consensus. Wang Ying is optimistic about the technology and internet sectors in Hong Kong stocks. She stated that for a long time, global investors' attention to China's technology and AI sectors has been relatively limited. The emergence of DeepSeek has made investors realize that China possesses a vast pool of engineering talent, data availability, and a well-established ecosystem in the social networking and e-commerce sectors, and may receive further government support to accelerate the application of AI. Now, global investors are beginning to reassess the investability of China in the technology and AI sectors. In addition, Wang Ying is also optimistic about China's new consumption sector, believing that it has the potential to gain more favour from investors in the global market's blue ocean. "Morgan Stanley released a report on the theme of Chinese enterprises going global in 2023. Since then, we have been paying close attention to companies related to the new consumption sector," Wang Ying said. Improved Confidence Among Foreign Investors Wang Ying observed that the talks with private entrepreneurs in mid-February this year further helped global investors understand the decision-making direction of the Chinese government, and foreign investors' confidence in China's investment environment has further improved. "The team has adjusted the index rating for Chinese stocks from underweight to neutral," Wang Ying further stated. Three major factors—clear policy signals turning positive, improvements in the geopolitical landscape, and renewed confidence shaped by technological breakthroughs—are propelling the Chinese market into a new phase, with the return on equity (ROE) of the MSCI China Index expected to continue improving. Wang Ying indicated that during the period from mid-January to April 2 this year, when reciprocal tariffs were implemented, nearly $8 billion in passive funds flowed into Chinese stocks. Although after April 2, due to the escalation of extreme tariffs, funds showed an outflow trend, this period was very short. Starting from late April, passive funds began to flow back into Chinese stocks. Wang Ying believes that with the stabilization of market sentiment, coupled with investors' rational analysis of the macro and capital market investment environment, foreign investors have reached a consensus that, in the context of global trade frictions, the investability, relative attractiveness, and the extent of impact on China's stock market are much smaller compared to other markets. From the perspective of global capital flow allocation, Wang Ying observed that global investors are actively changing their overweight positions in US dollar assets. As the world's second-largest stock market, China boasts unique advantages in terms of size and liquidity, and domestic policy support will further highlight its advantages in liquidity and economic cycle stability. What room is there for policy adjustments? Xing Ziqiang believes that despite certain progress in the Sino-US tariff dispute, China still needs to further leverage its fiscal power to boost domestic demand. Boosting domestic demand requires not only policy support but also reforms to the social security system. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to address the issue of funding support. He proposes three measures: First, increase the fiscal deficit, including issuing more government bonds. With the current dominance of US dollar assets being challenged, global capital is seeking new investment directions. If China increases the supply of RMB assets and expands the fiscal deficit, using the funds to stimulate consumption and improve social security and welfare, it will help break the cycle of low prices and enhance the yield of RMB assets. Second, advance the reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and inject more dividends from state-owned assets into the social security system. This will not only provide strong support for the social security system but also promote the market-oriented operation of SOEs. Third, promote the transformation of overall fiscal expenditure, shifting from a fiscal model that previously focused on construction to one that emphasizes social welfare and social services. He further points out that, in the medium and long-term, China should seize the strategic opportunity period to enhance the attractiveness of RMB assets and strengthen the competitiveness of the Chinese market by deepening reforms and expanding opening-up. He recommends implementing the "2030 Major Strategy." Specifically, this means achieving two "three zeros" by 2030, focusing on the strategy of expanding domestic demand and significantly opening up to the outside world. By establishing a unified national market, consolidating the social security system, and advancing fiscal transformation reforms, China aims to achieve a 30% growth in its domestic consumption market over the next five years, and this 30% increase in the domestic consumption market will be open to countries around the world. During this process, China will gradually reduce external tariffs to "zero," lower market access thresholds for foreign-funded enterprises and Chinese private enterprises to "zero," and reduce subsidies to "zero" over the next five years.