CONF: Falling exports to drag down China's total steel use in 2026

China's total apparent steel use this year is expected to shrink marginally from 2025, mainly due to waning export demand and the likely further slowdown of domestic property projects, predicts Shi Hongwei, Deputy Secretary General of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

"Frequent anti-dumping (AD) measures initiated against Chinese steel products will weigh heavily on the country's steel exports," Shi told delegates at the 20th International Iron Ore Seminar held by Mysteel in East China's Qingdao on Thursday. "A wave of AD investigations was launched against Chinese steel exports during 2024-2025, and