[Alaska's 15 billion USD steel plant plan draws local industry response]

Iron ore concentrate prices in the Tangshan area remained relatively stable, with 66% grade iron ore concentrates priced at 930-935 yuan/mt on a dry basis, including tax, ex-works. Operating rates at mines and beneficiation plants remain low overall, providing some support for iron ore concentrate prices. On the demand side, steel mills are currently operating at a loss.

Stelco Holdings Inc. will indefinitely idle finishing operations at its Hamilton, Ontario plant, affecting up to 500 workers across Hamilton and Lake Erie. The company said the move was 'unfortunate but necessary', citing US tariffs that have cut demand for its cold rolled and galvanized products. Demand in its traditional markets fell almost 25% in Q2 2026 vs the 2024 quarterly average, with Canada down 10%. Ottawa's import curbs have cut volumes but not enough to close the gap. Production will be concentrated at the Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke, Ontario. Parent Cleveland-Cliffs said the product mix will change but steel tonnage will not, and will offer Hamilton staff Lake Erie roles. Peer Algoma Steel announced over 1,000 layoffs; ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada shut its Hamilton wire drawing mill.

Italy's steel association Federacciai warned that soaring energy costs are threatening the continuity of domestic steel production and urged the EU to suspend its Emissions Trading System (ETS). It said the combined burden of high electricity prices and carbon costs has left Italian mills, particularly electric arc furnace operators, facing unsustainable pressure, with some lines at risk of shutdown. Federacciai called on the EU and the Italian government to take emergency measures, including halting ETS allowance auctions and adjusting carbon cost pass-through rules, to protect steel supply and jobs. Spanish peer Unesid also warned of a 658 million EUR energy cost overrun (about 710 million USD) and sought an emergency plan. Source: Federacciai.