Steel Price Plunge Predicted With Changing Role of China

摘要

The recent upward surge of steel prices could soon turn into a retreat, depending on what happens in China, say some industry analysts. China's rapid industrialization and demand for scrap metal has strained steel supplies over the past two years, driving prices to drastically higher levels where they now have stabilized (ENR 12/20/04 p. 32). But a recent slowdown in the country's economy, coupled with its increased production capacity, could soon reverse that trend, analysts predict.