Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Iron ore futures fell on Friday, poised for modest monthly losses as U.S. tariffs and escalating trade tensions pressured Chinese steel exports.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) dropped 0.43% to 802 yuan ($110.07) per metric ton as of 0250 GMT, losing 0.93% in February. Singapore’s benchmark March iron ore contract declined 0.89% to $104.15 a ton, marking a 0.59% monthly loss.
U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian imports starting March 4, alongside an additional 10% duty on Chinese goods, totaling a cumulative 20% tariff. Trump also announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, exacerbating trade tensions with China.
Vietnam and South Korea have implemented temporary tariffs on Chinese steel, further pressuring China’s struggling steel sector. The U.S. steel tariffs are expected to disrupt China’s $7 billion steel transshipment market, impacting a crucial revenue source.
Meanwhile, concerns over China’s trade-in scheme inefficiencies could prompt consumer-focused policies when the annual parliamentary meeting begins on March 5.
Steel futures on the Shanghai Futures Exchange mostly declined. Rebar fell 0.42%, hot-rolled coil dipped nearly 0.5%, and wire rod lost 0.34%, while stainless steel gained 0.3%. Domestic steel demand showed signs of recovery, with major steel product inventories decreasing 2.3% to 5.37 million tons, according to consultancy Mysteel.
Other steelmaking ingredients on the DCE edged up, with coking coal rising 0.09% and coke increasing 0.3%.
As global trade tensions persist, investors remain cautious about iron ore and steel market trends.
