Speak to a specialist

Register and we will customize a solution that meets your exact needs. When you speak to one of our experts, you may be qualified to sample our industry-leading products on a no-cost basis.

You can unsubscribe from these updates at any time. We manage your personal data in accordance with our privacy policy.
  • 25 May 2026
  • Market: Metals, Steel & Raw Materials

Chinese flat steel prices rose sharply in early May, supported by stronger domestic sentiment, tighter export conditions and heightened geopolitical risks. Annie Wang, senior analyst at Argus Media, discusses how these factors, along with firming semi-finished steel prices, are shaping market dynamics in China and influencing global ferrous trade.

Key topics covered in the podcast

  • Drivers behind the early May increase in Chinese flat steel prices and how market conditions evolved through the quarter
  • Impact of export licence constraints on Chinese flat steel offers and buyer behaviour
  • Role of geopolitical risks in supporting prices through freight, insurance and broader supply concerns
  • Effect of higher slab and semi-finished steel prices on hot-rolled coil pricing, substrate costs and mill margins
  • Market expectations for Chinese flat steel prices, export volumes and domestic demand in the coming months

Listen now

Related products

Argus Global Steel

Flat and long steel prices, transparent HRC benchmark index data and news about global steel production, trade and consumption and other influencers of steel prices
Find out more

Argus Steelmaking Raw Materials

Iron ore, coking coal, metallics and semi-finished steel prices are complemented by news on the key drivers that affect the cost of steel production.
Find out more

Argus Scrap Markets

Independent scrap prices and market intelligence across global ferrous and non-ferrous markets, grounded in transparent methodologies for confident, real-time decisions.
Find out more

Spotlight content

Select
China flat steel outlook shaped by exports, costs and risk

China flat steel outlook shaped by exports, costs and risk

25/05/26
The Global Aluminium Supply Squeeze

The Global Aluminium Supply Squeeze

22/05/26
Copper’s Volatile New Landscape

Copper’s Volatile New Landscape

14/04/26
Insight papers

Impact of the Iran War on global commodity markets - part 2

Second edition - A brief analysis of the Iran war’s market impacts, outlining disruption levels and the commodities most exposed to shifting global conditions.
06/05/26
Impact of the Iran War on global commodity markets - part 2
Insight papers

Coking coal market evolution: an incomplete journey

23/04/26
Insight papers

China Zinc Concentrate TC: Pricing in a Volatile Market

15/04/26
Insight papers

Aerospace Minor Metals Outlook: Disruption and Volatility

15/04/26
Insight papers

The Coming Battery Supply Chain Shock

31/03/26
Blogs

The calm in the chaos: a US steel sector seasoned by disruption

Key takeaways from the recent Argus Steel Forum and discussion around the US Steel industry's ability to cope with recent market upheaval.
14/05/26
The calm in the chaos: a US steel sector seasoned by disruption
Blogs

How the Iran conflict is affecting non‑ferrous metals markets

07/04/26
Blogs

DRC’s Rubaya mine collapse

12/02/26
Blogs

Sodium-ion battery: a challenger to Li batteries

02/02/26
Blogs

Argus Scrap Coverage in Mexico: A Transparent Benchmark for a Growing Market

18/11/25

Speak to our experts today

Register below and we will customise a solution that meets your exact needs. When you speak to one of our experts, you may be qualified to sample our industry-leading products on a no-cost basis.
You can unsubscribe from these updates at any time. We manage your personal data in accordance with our privacy policy.
Sign up for our free newsletter
Free Newsletter