EUROPEAN MORNING BRIEF 20/12: Most SHFE base metals rebound; US to remove sanctions against Rusal; AIIS questions Section 232 constitutionality

Good morning from Fastmarkets MB's offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Thursday December 20.

Most base metals traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rebounded during Asian morning trading on Thursday as relations between Washington and Beijing appear to improve, thus ushering risk-on sentiment back into the market.

Check Fastmarkets MB's live futures report here.





The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control plans to remove sanctions against UC Rusal and En+ Group in 30 days due to significant restructuring and corporate governance changes, it said in a notice.

A steel trade group argued that the statute under which the US Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports were issued was unconstitutional, according to oral arguments during a US Court of International Trade hearing on Wednesday.

Aluminium market participants in the United States and Europe expect further downward pressure on premiums and London Metal Exchange prices following the US Treasury Department's announcement that sanctions against UC Rusal will be removed.

The tin premium in Europe held firm on Tuesday, but remains elevated amid continued Indonesian export delays, while quiet market conditions and a closed import window kept US and Chinese premiums flat week on week.

A requirement for a higher energy density for new EV battery projects has been removed from the official regulations on automobile industry investment published by the country's National Development and Reform Commission on its website.

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