It was reported that the trading of hot-rolled coil (HRC) in the European market is slow with a stable price trend. Market participants said that at present steel mills in Northern Europe mainly supply March delivery, but due to market uncertainty, April rates have not been announced yet.

Currently, actual demand from end customers, especially for the automotive and construction industries, is stable but volume cannot be expanded. Moreover, local manufacturers rely more on domestic supply for HRC to support the European market in the long term.

On the other hand, the EU is conducting anti-dumping investigations against HRC from Egypt, India, Japan, and Vietnam, and may have stricter restrictions on steel protection measures in April. Therefore, considering imported HRC, most suppliers will deliver cargo around the second quarter of 2025, when is likely to encounter uncertain import restrictions.

Amid economic and political instability, trading activity is sluggish, and the market has mixed sentiment for January.