Beijing is set to dramatically reshape the global steel landscape with the implementation of stringent new export controls, effective January 1, 2026. This landmark policy shift, formalized by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the General Administration of Customs (GACC) on December 9, 2025, signals a decisive move away from an “unrestricted exports” approach towards “proactive regulation and license-based management.” The immediate implications are profound, threatening to curb the flow of Chinese steel into international markets and potentially driving up global prices, while simultaneously recalibrating trade relations worldwide. The new controls are poised to send ripples across the entire commodity market, affecting everything from construction projects to manufacturing supply chains. As the world’s largest producer and exporter of steel, China’s policy adjustments inevitably carry significant weight, and this latest move suggests a strategic reorientation aimed at domestic stability, industrial upgrading, and navigating persistent international trade frictions.

Full report : China Unveils Sweeping Steel Export Controls: A New Era for Global Commodity Markets Dawns.