With US crude oil inventories now at 433.0 million barrels, they sit about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year. This continued drawdown underscores the strong global appetite for US crude, as exports surged to over 4.9 million barrels per day during the reporting week.
The anti-dumping investigation, initiated by the South Korea Trade Commission on 12 January 2024, followed a petition from TK Chemical Co., Ltd., a prominent South Korean company. TK Chemical alleged that Chinese PET resins were being sold at unfairly low prices, harming the local industry.
This prolonged contraction is attributed to several factors, including weak domestic demand, extreme weather conditions, and the traditional off-peak production season. These challenges have amplified calls for increased policy support from the government to stimulate economic activity.