Group 1: Industry Overview - In September 2023, China's steel industry PPI (Producer Price Index) continued to rise, reaching 99.5%, an increase of 3.9 percentage points compared to the previous month [1] - The PPI data has shown a significant upward trend since May 2023, coinciding with the industry's first initiative to address "involution" competition [1] Group 2: Company Strategies - Several steel companies are adopting transformation and differentiation strategies to maintain the overall interests of the industry chain [3] - The China Special Steel Enterprises Association emphasizes the need for a new development path to solve the issue of involution, advocating for a focus on specialized and innovative growth [5] Group 3: Product Innovations - At the first China Special Steel and New Materials Summit, a report was released to promote differentiated development routes for enterprises, focusing on intelligent and high-end transformation [6] - The world's thinnest steel, measuring only 0.015 mm thick, has recently achieved mass production, with a daily output of approximately 3 tons [8] - The production process of this "hand-torn steel" is complex, requiring precise control to achieve the desired thickness without damaging the surface [11][13] Group 4: Application and Performance - "Hand-torn steel" is being integrated into various applications, including soft-pack materials for new energy vehicle batteries and components in consumer electronics, enhancing battery capacity and extending device lifespan [11] - The introduction of "hand-torn steel" has significantly improved the durability of foldable screens, increasing their lifespan from 40,000-50,000 folds to potentially 80,000-100,000 folds [11] - Powder steel, with particles as small as 500 microns, is being utilized in advanced applications, including high-tech products and precision tools, with a lifespan improvement from 6,000 to potentially 50,000 mold cycles [15][17]

亚太瞭望台 韩国总统李在明近期的一系列举动，如同走钢丝般在中美之间摇摆不定，最终却似乎伤及自身。他拒绝出席中国"9·3"阅兵、对中国钢材加征高额关税，表 面看似贸易摩擦，实则反映了韩国在美中博弈中被迫采取的无奈策略，一种夹缝求生的"政治算盘"。 这一切的根源在于美国总统特朗普7月7日发出的"关税大棒"：8月1日起，对韩国汽车、钢铁、半导体等核心出口产品加征25%关税。这一举动直接威胁到韩 国每年对美出口180亿美元的汽车产业和120亿美元的钢铁产业，让韩国经济命脉岌岌可危。 美国开出的交换条件，远不止于取消关税。据韩媒透露，美方甚至要求李在明政府加入"反华技术联盟"，以此作为关税豁免的筹码，并要求韩国在造船业领 域联手打压中国份额。 韩国政府内部会议也划定了两条不可触碰的底线：大米和牛肉。自2008年以来，韩国一直以防疯牛病为由禁止进口美国30月龄以上 牛肉，并对美国大米征收高达513%的关税，仅允许每年5%的关税配额（13万吨）进口。农业团体已放话，若政府在此问题上让步，将发动全国抗议。 因此，李在明政府只能选择对中国钢材加征关税这条看似"成本最低"的道路，向美国表忠心。然而，此举却给韩国经济带来沉重打击。 ...