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Commodities

Commodities
Commodity market action from around the world with a focus on the commodities that matter most to investors in Hong Kong and China.
A worker fills up a car at a petrol station in China’s Shandong province. A prominent economist said rising oil prices amid Middle East tensions could lead to stagflation in China. Photo: Getty Images
China's economic recovery

Stagflation risk emerges amid Mideast oil crisis, clouds China’s economic battle

While rising energy costs from war in Iran may briefly aid China’s deflation battle, analysts warn how oil price spike could threaten nation’s fragile economic rebound.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Global stock sell-off slams Wall Street as oil prices leap on Iran war woes

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

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China energy security

Why the Iran war will accelerate China’s push to become an ‘energy powerhouse’

The conflict does not pose an immediate threat to China’s oil supply, but will spur on the country’s energy security drive, analysts say.

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Smoke plumes rise above Tehran following missile strikes on March 1. The growing conflict in the Middle East is likely to accelerate China’s energy security drive, analysts say. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Asia’s main oil artery is all but blocked. What happens now?

Oil has surged by the most in four years. Tankers are fleeing the Gulf and up to 10 million barrels a day may be stripped from global supply.

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Mainland China

China’s copper crash: from investment fad to scrap in a month

A brief speculative frenzy amid skyrocketing gold and silver prices leaves some retail investors holding shiny kilogram bars they can’t sell.

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China trade

US-Indonesia deal threatens China’s ‘entrenched position’ in nickel market: analysts

A new deal gives America unrestricted access to Indonesia’s nickel – and challenges China’s ‘preferential’ position in the market, analysts say.

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A worker conducts a tapping process at a nickel processing plant in Sorowako, Indonesia. A new US-Indonesia trade deal could complicate China’s position in the Indonesian nickel industry. Photo: EPA
US-China trade war

Critical minerals rivalry expands to copper, silver

The US and China are intensifying efforts to secure copper and silver supply chains amid surging industrial demand which has driven up prices of the metals, delivering big returns for investors in 2025.

Gold in Hong Kong

Investment gold retailers move into vacant Hong Kong high-street shops

‘We see overwhelming demand for investment gold coins and bars,’ retailer San Gold Coins’ Sophia Chen says.

US-China trade war

Why looming US-China trade talks could hinge on an obscure metal: gallium

China’s ban on exports of the vital metal could kick in again in November – and the US still has no realistic alternative supplier.

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A block with the symbol, atomic number and mass number of Gallium. Illustration: Reuters
US-China relations

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

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An employee of Chinese company CMOC holds a form of cobalt hydroxide produced at the Tenke Fungurume mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Why Indonesia’s president wants clay roofs on all homes

The president says tourists are put off by Indonesia’s ‘rusty zinc’ roofs, and its image would improve with wider use of clay tiles.

Gold in Hong Kong

Gold’s volatile run set to continue as investors eye next breakout

Investors are like crocodiles waiting to strike, Jupiter says, as bullion eyes new highs amid continuing geopolitical and policy tension.

Gold in Hong Kong

Copper, lithium unlikely to match gold’s gains as output rises: Goldman

Record gold prices have lifted sentiment across raw materials, but analysts expect differentiated returns as producers ratchet up output.

Gold has surged to record highs, while a range of other commodities have also climbed, as governments and investors seek the perceived “insurance” value of hard assets. Photo: dpa
China-Latin America relations

Chinese steel hit with duties up to US$670 per tonne after Brazil dumping probe

Government anti-dumping investigation found Chinese imports were being sold at unfairly low prices, harming domestic producers.

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A worker stacks steel products meant for the export market at a factory in Binzhou, Shandong province, China, on April 15, 2025. Following two investigations, Brazil has imposed anti-dumping duties on a broad range of Chinese steel products. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

UBS China venture faces wrath of silver investors after valuation change

More than 200,000 people file complaints as UBS SDIC’s attempted remedy for sudden change of fund’s price benchmark falls flat with some.

Indonesia

Crude business for Indonesia amid West’s squeeze on Russian oil

Analysts say Indonesia’s energy demand could draw scrutiny as Moscow seeks new buyers, potentially complicating US trade talks.

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China consumption

China’s gold rush: why families are doubling down on precious metals

Gold is becoming more popular in China ahead of the Lunar New Year, with households viewing the asset as a safety net amid an uncertain economy.

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Decorative items made of gold are displayed at a jewellery store in Beijing on January 28. Photo: EPA-EFE
United States

From sanctioned to ‘legitimate’: how China bought Venezuelan oil from the US

After Nicoals Maduro’s January seizure, Washington is selling seized oil globally, with China a key buyer, says Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

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Energy

Russian oil tankers list Singapore as destination amid sanctions, shift to China

Move comes as India is set ‌to ⁠scale back or halt Russian oil imports after a recent US trade deal left China as Russia’s main customer.

China energy security

Opinion | Why China keeps fossil fuels central even as it ramps up green energy

By preserving a diversified energy mix, Beijing is prioritising redundancy over an idealised, rapid transformation.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China trade

China-Canada canola deal faces test as USMCA trade talks loom, insiders warn

Initial shipments bring hope, but ‘Fortress North America’ threat and lack of long-term guarantees leave producers wary of Beijing’s commitment.

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Bottles of Canola Harvest brand canola oil, made by a Canadian agribusiness firm, are seen on the shelf of a grocery store in Beijing. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.

Banking & finance

China’s new golden rule: dig deeper mines, boost reserves and hedge global risks

China Gold Association vows tech breakthroughs in deep mining and nanogold, and a state-owned miner seeks a fourfold increase in gold output from mineral deposits.

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Donald Trump

Macroscope | Blame Trump, not Asian investors, for gold and silver volatility

The global uncertainty stemming from Trump’s behaviour is roiling precious metals markets far more than any investment from Asia.

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Molten gold made from jewelry is poured into a mold to produce a gold bar at the Austrian Gold and Silver Refinery in Vienna, Austria on February 3. Photo: AFP
China energy security

China’s cheap oil flows under strain as US ramps up Iran, Venezuela pressure

US restrictions could lead China to turn to higher-priced barrels in other markets, while it continues to reduce its reliance on oil imports.

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An oil tanker is anchored in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. China’s reliance on low-price crude from Venezuela is under strain as the United States tightens control over the country’s oil industry. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

US pitches critical minerals plan to allies to halt Beijing’s dominance

More than 50 countries encouraged to back US-led framework using price floors and financing to blunt Beijing’s control of hi-tech materials.

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China energy security

Shanxi’s green leap: renewables surpass coal in China’s energy hub

Where Shanxi goes, China goes, in their broad energy overhaul, as the region with a quarter of the nation’s coal serves as the ultimate proving ground for Beijing’s ‘dual carbon’ strategy.

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