WEEKLY: China's HRC export prices weaken amid market uncertainties

China’s hot-rolled coil (HRC) export market trended weaker last week, as falling raw material prices, seasonal demand lull, and emerging policy uncertainties weighed on export prices and trading activities, Mysteel's latest market roundup showed.

Mysteel's assessment of the export price of SS400 3mm HRC edged lower by $5/tonne on week to sit at $445/t, FOB from North China's Tianjin port, as of December 12. Early last week, mainstream Chinese steel mills kept hot-rolled coil export offers largely stable in the $465–475/t FOB range. By mid-week, quotations softened to around $460/t FOB, while the actual