[Selling Prices of Commercial Residential Properties in First-Tier Cities Rose MoM]

Preliminary census data from the US Department of Commerce reveals that US imports of cold rolled coil (CRC) totaled 54,744 metric tons (mt) in March 2026, falling 24.8% from February and plummeting 53.2% compared to March 2025. Total import value shrank to $51.63 million, down from $69.34 million in February and $133.43 million a year ago. Canada remained the largest exporter to the US at 17,805 mt (up from 14,707 mt in February), followed by South Korea (8,008 mt), Vietnam (4,858 mt), Mexico (4,343 mt), and the Netherlands (4,210 mt). This substantial decline in foreign supply reflects an intentional destocking process and cautious purchasing strategies by US manufacturers experiencing macro headwinds.

Brazil’s heavy plate exports surged by 117.3% month-on-month in April 2026 to 11,300 metric tons (mt) compared to 5,200 mt in March, according to SECEX data. Despite the strong monthly growth, overall export volumes remain well below historical averages due to the continued absence of the United States as an export destination, with all April shipments bound for South American countries. Prominent exporters included Usiminas (10,700 mt at $559/mt FOB), CSN (300 mt at $842/mt FOB), and Gerdau (200 mt at $595/mt FOB). Concurrently, Brazil's heavy plate imports grew 47% month-on-month to 2,200 mt, led by China (1,500 mt at $608/mt), Italy (500 mt), and Portugal (300 mt).

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Liunan District, Liuzhou City, Guangxi (24.38°N, 109.26°E) at 00:21 on May 18, with a focal depth of 8 kilometers. Following the earthquake, the State Council's Earthquake Relief Command and the Ministry of Emergency Management coordinated with local authorities, requesting verification of seismic and disaster conditions, full mobilization of search and rescue operations, and efforts in disaster assessment, evacuation and resettlement of residents, emergency rescue, and aftershock monitoring.