Commodity markets

From fashion to alcohol, these sectors are being swept up in the U.S.-EU trade war
World

From fashion to alcohol, these sectors are being swept up in the U.S.-EU trade war

FILE PHOTO: A worker welds a steel tube at HCC, a company that uses parts to make combines, at the factory in Mendota, Illinois, U.S., February 21, 2025.  Vincent Alban | Reuters European consumers face higher prices on items from cars to jeans, while major industries including steel, retail and agriculture grapple with reduced competitiveness […]

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South Korea’s mint is grappling with a gold bar shortage as supply constraints bite
World

South Korea’s mint is grappling with a gold bar shortage as supply constraints bite

Gold bars arranged at the Korea Gold Exchange store in Seoul, South Korea. SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg | Getty Images South Korea’s state-run mint is grappling with a gold bar shortage amid robust demand for the precious metal. The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO), which is responsible for the production and distribution of […]

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Japan requests US to exclude Japan from steel and aluminum tariffs
World

Japan requests US to exclude Japan from steel and aluminum tariffs

Muto Yoji, Japan’s minister of economy, trade and industry. Toshifumi Kitamura | Afp | Getty Images Japan industry minister Yoji Muto said on Wednesday the nation has requested that the United States exempt Japan from steel and aluminum tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump substantially raised tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Monday to a flat 25% “without exceptions or exemptions,” saying they would aid struggling industries in […]

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The world isn’t close to breaking free from coal — in some countries, demand for it is surging
World

The world isn’t close to breaking free from coal — in some countries, demand for it is surging

Piles of coal waiting to be transported at Guoyuan Port container terminal in Chongqing, China. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images The world won’t be able to release its grip on coal anytime soon. “Nothing can destroy coal,” U.S. President Donald Trump said at the recent World Economic Forum. “Not the weather, not a […]

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World’s demand for gold hit another record high last year; appetite for bullion in 2025 remains firm
World

World’s demand for gold hit another record high last year; appetite for bullion in 2025 remains firm

“In 2024, global gold demand surged to a new quarterly high and a record annual total bolstered by heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainties,” said Shaokai Fan, global head of central banks at the World Gold Council. Shannon Stapleton | Reuters The world’s demand for gold hit another record high in 2024 amid robust central bank […]

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India is staring at an ‘oil shock’ as U.S. sanctions on Russian crude loom
World

India is staring at an ‘oil shock’ as U.S. sanctions on Russian crude loom

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) during a visit to the shipyard Zvezda, as Rosneft Russian oil giant chief Igor Sechin (C) accompanies them, outside the far-eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on September 4, 2019, ahead of the start of the Eastern Economic Forum hosted by Russia.  Alexander […]

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Nippon Steel CEO doubles down on pledge to acquire U.S. Steel after suing Biden administration
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Nippon Steel CEO doubles down on pledge to acquire U.S. Steel after suing Biden administration

This picture taken on Feb. 16, 2024 shows a logo of Nippon Steel Corp. at the company’s Kyushu manufacturing base in Kitakyushu city of Fukuoka Prefecture. U.S. President Joe Biden plans to express concern over Nippon Steel’s proposed $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, pushing the […]

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Several commodities face headwinds in 2025 — but this metal’s record rally is set to continue
World

Several commodities face headwinds in 2025 — but this metal’s record rally is set to continue

Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central’s office in Singapore June 19, 2017. Edgar Su | Reuters Commodity prices are largely expected to fall in 2025 due to a sluggish global economic outlook and a resurgent dollar, but gold and gas prices are poised to rally this year, according to industry experts. Commodities had a […]

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Food prices are at their highest levels in over a year. And these items will get even more expensive
World

Food prices are at their highest levels in over a year. And these items will get even more expensive

Athvisions | E+ | Getty Images Global food prices recently rose to an 18-month high, with some food baskets expected to continue climbing, according to market watchers.  In October, world food commodity prices were at their highest since April 2023, according to the most recent data compiled by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. […]

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Gold plunges 3% as Trump Treasury pick and potential Israel-Hezbollah truce fuel risk-on mood
World

Gold plunges 3% as Trump Treasury pick and potential Israel-Hezbollah truce fuel risk-on mood

Gold prices held above the $2,100 level on Wednesday, near a record peak hit in the previous session as hopes for U.S. rates easing by mid-year mount, while traders awaited remarks on the economy’s health from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Uli Deck | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Gold prices lost about 3% after […]

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