High prices are suppressing actual consumption, and it is expected that tin prices may fluctuate at highs in the short term [SMM Tin Morning Meeting Minutes].

Intel (INTC.O) CEO Chen Liwu stated that the memory chip shortage in the computer industry is likely to persist for at least two years. He said on Tuesday, "To my knowledge, there are no mitigation measures in place at the moment." Chen Liwu mentioned that he had spoken with two key figures in the memory field, who told him, "There will be no relief until 2028." The massive infrastructure development for artificial intelligence has significantly increased the demand for memory chips, which has reduced the supply of chips available for traditional computers and smartphones. This has led to chip shortages and price increases—potentially dampening consumer willingness to purchase these products. Chen Liwu also pointed out that Nvidia, as a leading supplier of AI processors, will further drive up memory demand with its latest Rubin platform and next-generation products, noting that AI will "consume a vast amount of memory.

On February 3, Li Yuecheng, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, presided over a Party group meeting. The meeting emphasized the need to strengthen overall planning and forward-looking layout. It is essential to improve the mechanisms for technology foresight, prediction, and investigation, enhance the exploration of multiple technology pathways, and establish a tiered layout for future industries based on technological maturity and market application levels. The construction of pilot zones for future industries should be advanced in an orderly manner, guiding different regions to develop according to local conditions and avoid overlapping development. It is crucial to enhance the supply of science and technology for future industries. Leveraging the advantages of the new-type national system, efforts should be made to deeply implement national major science and technology projects and key R&D programs, systematically plan for original and pioneering technology breakthroughs, and promote advancements in areas such as 6G, quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen energy, brain-computer interfaces, and embodied AI. Large-scale application demonstrations of new technologies, products, and scenarios in manufacturing should be carried out, accelerating the maturation of cutting-edge technologies through the large-scale opening and application of scenarios.

[SMM Tin Morning News: The most-traded SHFE tin contract opened slightly higher in the night session and maintained a high-level sideways trend, with spot cargo transaction willingness showing initial signs of rebound]