Iron ore futures experienced a significant downturn overnight, triggered by emerging signals from Beijing. The Singapore benchmark price fell by 2.6 per cent, reaching $US100.65 a tonne. This drop reflects growing market apprehension regarding China’s evolving regulatory landscape.
According to a note from ANZ, the sell-off stemmed from reports indicating that Chinese authorities are intensifying efforts to curtail capacity within heavy industries, notably steel production. This initiative forms part of Beijing’s broader anti-involution campaign, aimed at reducing unproductive competition and addressing overcapacity issues across vital sectors of the economy. The campaign targets industries where excessive internal competition is seen as hindering overall progress and efficiency.
China’s steel industry, historically a cornerstone of the nation’s economic expansion, has faced considerable challenges recently. A significant downturn in the property sector, traditionally the steel industry’s primary source of demand, has placed immense pressure on producers. This decline in property development has led to decreased steel consumption, exacerbating existing difficulties within the sector.
