On February 18, 2026, the WTO Committee on Safeguards issued a notification of safeguard measures submitted by the Egyptian delegation. The Egyptian investigating authority made an affirmative final determination on imported Hot Rolled Flat Steel (HRC/HRFS) and recommended imposing safeguard duties (including provisional safeguard measures) based on the CIF value for three years, as follows: from September 14, 2025, to September 13, 2026, at 13.6% and not less than 3,673 EGP/mt; from September 14, 2026, to September 13, 2027, at 13% and not less than 3,511 EGP/mt; from September 14, 2027, to September 13, 2028, at 12.5% and not less than 3,376 EGP/mt. The implementation of these measures will be subject to a ministerial tax order. These measures do not apply to HRC with a thickness exceeding 20 millimeters and a width greater than 1,600 millimeters. The Egyptian tariff numbers for the products under investigation are 7208.10, 7208.25, 7208.26, 7208.27, 7208.36, 7208.37, 7208.38, 7208.39, 7208.40, 7208.51, 7208.52, 7208.53, 7208.54, 7208.90, 7211.14, 7211.19, 7225.30, 7225.40, 7226.91, and 7226.99. Interested parties should submit applications for consultations within seven days of the announcement. Contact details of the Egyptian investigating authority: Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade Trade Remedies Sector Contact: Mrs. Yomna Elshabrawy Address: New Capital – Governmental District Cairo, Egypt. Email: mailto:itpd@tas.gov.eg On April 27, 2025, Egypt announced in its official gazette that, at the request of Egyptian producers, it initiated a safeguard investigation on imported HRC on April 22, 2025. On September 10, 2025, the WTO Committee on Safeguards issued a notification of safeguard measures submitted by the Egyptian delegation, stating that Egypt made an affirmative preliminary determination in the case. The period of investigation was from January 2021 to December 2024. (Compiled from the WTO website) Original text: https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/SG/N8EGY11.pdf&Open=True

On February 26, 2026, the European Commission announced its final decision on the first anti-dumping sunset review of steel road wheels originating from China. If the current anti-dumping measures were to be lifted, the dumping of the products in question would continue or recur and cause injury to the EU industry. Therefore, it was decided to maintain the anti-dumping duties on the Chinese products: Xingmin Intelligent Transportation Systems Co., Ltd., Tangshan Xingmin Wheels Co., Ltd., Xianning Xingmin Wheels Co., Ltd., and other cooperating enterprises (see the annex to the original announcement for details) will all be subject to a rate of 50.3%, while other companies will face a rate of 66.4%. The measures took effect the day after the announcement. The EU CN (Combined Nomenclature) codes for the products under investigation are ex 8708 70 10, ex 8708 70 99, and ex 8716 90 90 (TARIC codes are 870870 10 80, 8708 70 10 85, 8708 70 99 20, 8708 70 99 80, 8716 90 90 95, and 8716 90 90 97). The period of the dumping investigation for this sunset review was from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, and the period for the analysis of injury to the industry was from January 1, 2021, to the end of the dumping investigation period. The announcement took effect the day after its publication. On February 15, 2019, the European Commission initiated an anti-dumping investigation into steel road wheels originating from China. On March 4, 2020, the European Commission made its final determination on the anti-dumping investigation of steel road wheels from China. On March 3, 2025, the European Commission launched the first anti-dumping sunset review investigation into steel road wheels from China. (Compiled from: European Commission website) Original text: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202600428

National crude steel demand decreased from 1.05 billion mt in 2020 to 910 million mt in 2025, with the steel consumption in manufacturing (machinery, automobiles, home appliances, and ships) increasing from 242 million mt to 280 million mt, a rise of 15.7%, and its share rising from 23% to 31%, becoming a key force in boosting the upgrade of crude steel demand structure. In contrast, construction demand fell from 631 million mt to 440 million mt, with its share dropping from 60% to 49%.

SMM Analysis: SMM's February 2026 blister copper RCs in sourth China were quoted at 2,200-2,500 yuan/mt, with an average of 2,350 yuan/mt, up 300 yuan/mt MoM...

Powering the Core Journey! OFweek 2026 (10th Annual) Industry Annual Conference is set for a major upgrade and will make its debut at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong (Main Forum, Hall 8) from March 11-12, 2026 . This annual conference will be held concurrently with TBSA 2026 (2026 Asia International and Exhibition), covering an exhibition area of over 22,000 square meters. It will attract more than 350 global exhibitors and over 20,000 international professional visitors. Over 150 industry leaders will gather to explore cutting-edge trends in the battery industry, connect global resources, and jointly create a new industrial landscape. Two major events will also be held concurrently: the Weike Cup·OFweek 2025 (8th Annual) Industry Awards Ceremony, and the launch event of the "Involution Ebbs, Innovation Gathers Strength: 2026 China Lithium Battery Industry Panorama Blue Book" (including the release of rankings), integrating exhibitions, high-end conferences, and industry awards. Global renowned enterprises such as Power, Lead Intelligent Equipment, Materials, BTR, Reasolid New Material, Bosch Rexroth, Jingshi, Zhongke Shenlan Huize, and WELION New Energy will gather at this grand event to share insights and jointly promote a new pattern of high-quality development across the industry chain. Three Special Sessions: Decoding Cutting-Edge Trends and Growth Opportunities As an annual barometer for the lithium battery industry, this conference, centered around the theme of "Technological Breakthroughs - Intelligent Manufacturing Upgrades - Market Outlook," will feature three special sessions on Technology and Applications, "Intelligent Manufacturing," and Solid-State Batteries . It will focus on pathways for technological implementation, delve into intelligent manufacturing and cost-reduction and efficiency-enhancement solutions, and provide insights into solid-state battery technology roadmaps to help secure a leading position in next-generation battery technologies. Two major launch events will be held concurrently: ▲ BTR New Product Launch Event : The anode leader unveils innovative products, showcasing groundbreaking technologies and achievements; ▲ Launch Event of the "2026 Lithium Battery Industry Panorama Blue Book" : Exclusive release of industry data, policy interpretations, and future trend forecasts, providing a comprehensive overview for industrial decision-making. A Top-Tier Lineup Assembled: Sneak Peek at the Agenda Contact Us Business Cooperation: Ms. Jiao Tel: 19168597392 Email: Market Cooperation/Media Cooperation: Ms. Yi Tel: 19925234597 Email: yiguandi@ofweek.com

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