Ahead of this year's AsiaCoke 2025, we spoke with JingZhi Ng, Deputy Editor at Argus Media, to get a sneak peek of what we can expect from his presentation on 'Asia Coke: Trade Barriers, tariffs, and market trends' Here's what he had to say...




Q1. With U.S. tariffs dominating recent headlines, your topic, “Asia Coke: Trade Barriers, Tariffs, and Market Trends,” is especially timely. In your view, what are the biggest challenges the industry is currently facing?

The coking industry has faced major challenges amid the US tariffs and global trade tensions. China's earlier retaliatory tariff on US metallurgical coal in February has disrupted exports, pushing US coal suppliers to seek alternative markets like India and Japan. This has increased market volatility and forced price adjustments. Apart from the US-China and US-Rest of World tariffs, protectionist policies, such as the recently implemented 12% steel import tariff by India, international trade flows are also being reshaped. Overall, the industry must learn to navigate and adapt to evolving market dynamics, environmental pressures, and geopolitical uncertainty.

Q2. How do you see the Asian market adapting to the current trade environment and regulatory pressures?

The Asian coal market, especially in China, has reacted to the tariffs that were put in place since February, and they are adapting to trade tensions and regulatory pressures by diversifying suppliers, shifting toward intra-Asian trade, and stockpiling reserves. With US coal facing and implementing tariffs, countries like China and India that are increasing imports may seek added reliance on other coal producers in Australia, Canada, and Indonesia. Regional producers may also look to boost exports, capturing what used to be the US market share. These shifts reflect a broader effort to stabilize supply chains while preparing for a more sustainable energy and industrial future.

Q3. What are you most looking forward to at AsiaCoke 2025, and what impact do you hope it will have on the industry?

I’m most looking forward to the discussions pertaining around the realignment in trading relationships and how ongoing tariff dynamics are reshaping coking coal flows in Asia. My aim is to equip market participants with knowledge and bring greater transparency to the coking coal sector. With market participants recalibrating their sourcing strategies based on current events, there's a critical need for clearer pricing signals and data transparency—something I’m keen to explore with peers and industry leaders. I hope the event fosters deeper collaboration and brings greater clarity to market trends, helping the industry navigate uncertainty with more informed decision-making.