The global steel industry is bracing for a wave of protectionist measures as U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs take effect, triggering retaliatory actions from major economies. Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, implemented on Wednesday, aim to revive U.S. steel towns but risk exacerbating global oversupply, forcing other countries to shield their own industries.

Steelmakers worldwide are scrambling to respond. The European Commission quickly pledged countermeasures on U.S. imports worth up to €26 billion ($28.4 billion), including steel, aluminum, and industrial goods. Meanwhile, South Korea, Vietnam, and India are raising trade barriers, while Latin American producers seek more protection.

A growing chorus of energy and mining giants is rallying behind natural hydrogen — a little-known resource that some believe could reshape the global energy landscape. Long overlooked, this colorless gas, found naturally in Earth’s crust, is gaining traction as companies and investors race to test whether it can be a scalable, low-emission fuel source.

Natural hydrogen, sometimes referred to as white, gold, or geologic hydrogen, differs from the more widely discussed green hydrogen. It doesn’t require electrolysis or fossil fuel reforming to produce — it simply exists underground, generating only water when burned and containing no carbon. First discovered accidentally in Mali in the 1980s, natural hydrogen has historically garnered little attention. But that’s quickly changing.

The EU’s strategic agenda for the upcoming mandate underscores a strong emphasis on economic security and reducing dependencies, extending potentially beyond the next five years. A draft of the strategic agenda highlights intentions to bolster maritime security to safeguard critical supply chains…