Saudi Arabia Wants an Oil Production Cut; China Wants Steel Overcapacity Cuts

Saudi Arabia is pushing for an oil production cut among its fellow OPEC nations as well as other big producers such as Russia. In China, Beijing is pushing local governments to cut steel overcapacity.

Saudis: Let’s Make a Production Cut Deal

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will probably revive talks on freezing oil output levels when it meets non-OPEC nations next month as top exporter Saudi Arabia appears to want higher prices, according to OPEC sources, although Iran, Iraq and Russia present obstacles to a deal.

Riyadh sharply raised expectations for a global production deal between on Thursday when Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Saudi Arabia will work with OPEC and non-OPEC members to help stabilise oil markets.

China Vows to Accelerate Steel Capacity Cuts

China should quicken capacity cuts in its bloated steel and coal sectors, the country’s top economic planning agency said on Tuesday, putting pressure on local officials to meet annual targets despite some worries the steps could hurt economic growth.

China has promised to slash steel capacity by 45 million metric tons and coal capacity by 250 mmt this year, as it tries to rejuvenate two industries suffering from slowing demand and a massive supply glut.