Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
Quote Originally Posted by ltnt View Post
Lots of excess synthetic, crude prices at rock bottom.
That's a reason for lower rubber prices, but not the prices we are getting today.
If oil prices drop, rubber goes down yes, but prices have not followed oil as normal, if they did sheet would be around 70 Bt. not 45 Bt,
Wonder if China is running a game, under cut other synthetic rubber produces, drive them out of business, sign long term contracts with NR producers and corner the world market in both NR and SR.

As said, India a big tire producer can not get enough rubber, not a high wage economy and they are having problems competing.

All well beyond me, but there will be a shortage of high grade RSS 1,2 and 3 next year. What is made today, is for processing in 6 to 9 months and no ones making sheet.
I may have been right about China, just out on the news.


Reuters) - The United States is set to slap duties on imports of tires from China after the Department of Commerce found on Monday the tires are produced using unfair government subsidies.
In a preliminary decision, Commerce set anti-subsidy duties of up to 81.29 percent on car and light truck tires after a complaint from U.S. trade unions.
The highest rate will apply to goods from Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group Co. Cooper Kunshan Tire Co, a subsidiary of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, will face duties of 12.50 percent and GITI Tire (Fujian) Co, a subsidiary of Giti Tire, duties of 17.69 percent.
Other Chinese producers have a preliminary rate of 15.69 percent, Commerce said. In 2013, imports of passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China were worth about $2.1 billion.
A final ruling on anti-subsidy duties by Commerce is due in April and by the International Trade Commission in May.
(Reporting by Krista Hughes; Editing by Tom Brown)