China's steel demand will have zero growth in 2019, remaining at 781 million mt, according to a forecast from the World Steel Association. After a 6% growth prediction for 2018, the latest report strikes a more pessimistic tone as environmental regulations are tightened and the Chinese economy re-balances in the midst of the US-China trade war. "But if the government decides to put up stimulus to mitigate the impact [of the trade tensions], then we might see a change," he said, adding that he saw infrastructure being an area the Chinese government may support. The US is expected to be the world's largest importer by 2025, with imports accounting for nearly half of all imports. Meanwhile, the demand for Asian steel in general was predicted to grow 1.3% in 2019.
China's steel demand will have zero growth in 2019, remaining at 781 million mt, according to a forecast from the World Steel Association. After a 6% growth prediction for 2018, the latest report strikes a more pessimistic tone as environmental regulations are tightened and the Chinese economy re-balances in the midst of the US-China trade war. The US is expected to be the world's largest importer by 2025, with imports accounting for nearly half of all imports. Meanwhile, the demand for Asian steel in general was predicted to grow 1.3% in 2019.