Ferroglobe PLC’s Post

Last week, 🇪🇺 leaders at the Council of the European Union Summit agreed to introduce a New European Competitiveness Deal by the end of the year ✅ The European aluminium industry welcomes this great development 🙌. A well-designed Deal can help create a stable, predictable regulatory environment crucial for scaling production, fostering innovation, and securing strategic supply chains. Reducing regulatory burdens and promoting a competitive landscape will help maintain global competitiveness and contribute to Europe's economic and industrial sovereignty. In line with these goals, the #AntwerpDeclaration we signed calls for a comprehensive action plan to elevate competitiveness as a strategic priority, create the conditions for a stronger business case in Europe, and make Europe a globally competitive provider of energy. It also proposes a Competitiveness Check for evaluating new legislation and policy initiatives. We hope to see these points reflected in the Competitiveness Deal! #competitivenessdeal #industry

Introducing one of our key policy priorities for 2024-2029, our Trade Manager, Helin Öcal, expresses concerns over the insufficiency of Europe’s trade defence instruments in securing protection for strategic industries like aluminium✅ Unfair trade practices present a clear threat to the aluminium sector. In recent years, China's overcapacity has severely skewed competition. By providing subsidies and selling products at below-market prices, Chinese goods inundate our markets, causing substantial harm to European manufacturers. What can be done? Watch more of what Helin has to say in the video below to find out ⬇ Subscribe to our #Aluminium4Europe newsletter where we take you on journey of exploring our top 5 policy priorities for the upcoming policy cycle ➡️ https://lnkd.in/djG9gxaB and read the latest edition! #trade #tradepolicy #EUmarkets

Representatives of China and the European Union met to discuss potential cooperation on raw materials and automobiles, Reuters reports citing the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The meeting comes amid challenging times in European-Chinese relations. The European Union is seeking ways to reduce its resource dependency on the industry leader. #europe #china #rawmaterials #criticalminerals #supplychains

We strongly support The White House's announcement with Mexico to combat the impact of unfairly traded aluminum in North America. Under the agreement, aluminum products smelted and cast in Belarus, China, Iran and Russia will no longer be permitted to enter the United States under the Section 232 exemption that Mexico enjoys as part of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). By working with our fellow USMCA countries on strong trade enforcement, we can help drive continued growth and investment in the region – creating jobs and capturing increased demand expected in the coming years. This plan is an example of how regional cooperation still works. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eSseeFcS

EU-Mercosur Deal Negotiations: Brazil’s former president, Lula, expressed optimism about the current EU-Mercosur deal negotiations. This development could have significant implications for trade relations between the European Union and South American countries. China’s Factory Activity: China’s factory activity likely contracted for the sixth consecutive month, albeit at a slower pace. This signals ongoing challenges in the global supply chain and may impact trade dynamics. WTO Dispute: China initiated a dispute with the United States over tax credits related to electric vehicles (EVs) and renewables. The outcome of this dispute could affect trade policies and investment decisions. Baltimore Bridge Collapse: The collapse of a bridge in Baltimore disrupted port operations, adding strain to the global supply chain. As supply chain professionals, we need to closely monitor such incidents and adapt our strategies. Expert Opinion The fragility of world trade has been laid bare by recent events. Supply chain resilience is paramount, and businesses must diversify their sourcing and transportation options. While tensions persist, opportunities also arise. Bidenomics, with its assertive stance, can lead to recalibrations in global trade relationships. As professionals, let’s stay informed and agile to navigate these dynamic times. #TradeNews #SupplyChain #GlobalTrade #ExpertOpinion

Important Update: EU contemplates Ban on Russian Aluminum 🇷🇺🚫 We wanted to share a significant development that may impact our industry: the European Union has recently announced a ban on imports of aluminum from Russia. While this decision undoubtedly reflects broader geopolitical considerations, it also underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability in today's global marketplace. At Associated Industrial Furnaces Pvt. Ltd. (AIFL), we recognize the potential implications of this ban for our operations and supply chain. Rest assured, we are actively assessing the situation and exploring alternative sourcing options to ensure minimal disruption to our valued clients and partners. Our commitment to delivering quality products and services remains unwavering. We are dedicated to navigating these changes with transparency, agility, and integrity, prioritizing the needs of our stakeholders every step of the way. As we navigate these evolving circumstances, we welcome open dialogue and collaboration with our peers and industry counterparts. Together, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and emerge stronger than ever before. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to adapt and thrive in the face of change. #EU #AluminumBan #GlobalTrade #SupplyChain #Adaptability #russia #india #makeinindia

SAFE applauds the Biden Administration's new agreement with Mexico to strengthen North American Steel and Aluminum supply chains. ICYMI: our report from last year identifying Mexican supply as a vulnerability for Asian supplies to enter North America. Read below: https://lnkd.in/eDa6akDy

Yesterday, we participated in the Antwerp Dialogue on shaping an effective trade policy to combat deindustrialisation in Europe and address global overcapacities, organised by AEGIS Europe and industriAll Europe! 🌍💼 A special thanks to Norsk Hydro and Bruno D'hondt for representing our industry! Addressing overcapacity is of crucial importance for the European #aluminium industry as subsidised industrial overcapacity in China poses a fundamental threat to our sector. Over the past few decades, China's non-market practices have created an unfair playing field. Their use of subsidies and low pricing has led to a surge of Chinese products in our markets, lowering the competitiveness of European producers. For aluminium, overcapacity began a few years ago in the primary segment and has since extended to semi-transformation and recycling. Today, it also impacts several finished products containing aluminium, such as #BEVs and #solar panels. Chinese overcapacity for semi-finished aluminium products is equivalent to three times the entire EU demand for these products. ✅Our key messages included: 🔹 A pragmatic approach to EU trade defence is essential. This includes initiating more ex-officio cases, assertively implementing existing EU Trade Defence Instruments (TDIs) and preventing the circumvention of trade measures. 🔹 Developing additional measures, such as tariffs, is necessary to counteract unfair trade practices, especially those originating from non-market economies. 📄Want to know more about our stance on overcapacity? Read our recent position paper addressing overcapacity and decarbonisation in the framework of the EU-US Global Arrangement ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dtvYZnRK #AntwerpDialogue #TradePolicy 

The Aluminium Federation has launched a new report examining the impact of the Russia/Ukraine war on the UK aluminium industry Developed in partnership with CRU International Ltd, the document explores the short, medium and long-term consequences of government import sanctions, as well as suggesting alternative future options to maintain primary aluminium supply. With the objective of protecting the UK’s thriving aluminium supply chain, supporting domestic production and minimising the effects of geopolitical issues, the report considers how removing Russian material from imports will directly impact UK businesses, as well as how changing market dynamics will likely hit future export demand. The opportunities to increase uptake of recycled content and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint are also covered in detail, alongside the wider supply chain issues presented by a weakening global forecast. Tom Jones, chief executive officer of ALFED, commented: “Politically, and morally, pressure is increasing to ensure that all materials used within the UK have a clear path of origin and do not – in any way – support the Russian state. While Russian-sourced aluminium was only ever responsible for a small fraction of the import market, it is still important to consider the longer-term picture to ensure minimal disruption to the supply chain." https://lnkd.in/eHKnkDcw

PDF Fallen Heroes in Global Capitalism: Workers and the Restructuring of the Polish Steel Industry Vera Trappmann (auth.) digsell https://lnkd.in/eWbJ7G4A Through the prism of ‘Nowa Huta’, a landmark of socialist industrialization, Trappmann challenges the one-sided account of Poland as a successful transition case and reveals the ambivalent role of the European Union in economic restructuring. An exemplary, suggestive case of multi-level analysis research. https://lnkd.in/ecGCP8MA