Asian market activity is also expected to resume after the break, traders say, possibly picking up at the same price levels where it left – around $470-475/tonne cfr.China's ongoing investments will continue to support demand, several sourcessay, suggesting HRC prices have bottomed and are likely to start risingpost-holidays, propping up slab prices.

The Mexican slab buyer can only acquire slab from ArcelorMittal Mexico, the petitioner forthe investigation. "Apart from yielding more control over its domestic slab buyer, I struggle to see what else the duty, if applied, mayachieve," a seasoned trader says.