[SMM Iron & Steel] Brazil’s Pig Iron Exports Surge 49% in Early 2026

[South Africa Initiated a Second Sunset Review Investigation of Safeguard Measures on Imported Threaded Fasteners of Iron or Steel] On March 6, 2026, the WTO Committee on Safeguards issued a safeguards notification submitted by the South African delegation. On February 27, 2026, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) published a notice and, upon an application filed by the South African industry association South African Fasteners Manufacturers Association (SAFMA), initiated a second sunset review investigation of safeguard measures on imported threaded fasteners of iron or steel.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China's pig iron production from January to February 2026 was 137.7 million mt, down 2.7% YoY; crude steel production was 160.34 million mt, down 3.6% YoY; and steel product production was 221.19 million mt, down 1.1% YoY.

[China’s Automobile Production Reached 4.024 Million Units, January-February] On March 16, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the latest data showing that, by sector, from January to February, the value added of 35 out of 41 major industrial categories increased YoY. Among them, automobile manufacturing was up 3.4% YoY. By product, from January to February, the production of 397 out of 626 products by industrial enterprises above designated size increased YoY. Among them, automobile production was 4.024 million units, down 9.9%, of which NEV production was 1.604 million units, down 13.7%.