China's metal makers a crucible for records as output surges

Shanghai

CHINA'S old economy is displaying greatly renewed vigour. Output of steel and aluminium hit records last month, with mills and smelters boosting run-rates of the products used to make buildings, cars and appliances just as the Trump administration in the United States weighs steps to roll back imports.

Output of crude steel was 73.23 million tonnes in June, 5.7 per cent more than a year earlier, and up 4.6 per cent to 419.75 million tonnes in the first half, the statistics bureau said on Monday.