Steel Mills
Letter to the Editor: Let The Domestic Steel Mills Compete with the Rest of the World
Written by John Packard
March 2, 2017
Steel Market Update received the following “Letter to the Editor” from a reader who in the past has been associated with companies supplying products to the domestic steel mills. With all of the articles being written about the industry from President Trump’s point of view we thought it a good idea to air a different viewpoint. Comments are welcome and can be sent to: info@SteelMarketUpdate.com:
I guess it’s fine for the US mills to complain about the competition in the international market place being “unfair”. As well as it may be or not. But the mills’ suppliers of scrap, iron ore, ferroalloys, refractories, inoculants, and many other products deal with it every day without help save ferroalloys. I can’t believe the nerve of the USA mills to say all foreign competition is unfair. They get relief and we do not. Nucor imports cargoes of scrap from Europe at prices under our market. Did the EU dump on us?
The rest of our industries want to try to streamline their expenses and production practices to compete on the world level but the USA steel mills want the government’s help when they don’t deserve it… Ok, every other country who is operating under the economic Law of Comparative Advantage and can produce steel cheaper than we can is dumping. I just don’t believe it. Of course when the USA mills are caught in a domestic downturn, their offers at bargain prices to get rid of their excess to international steel traders are just fine and above reproach. If you knew what I know, you’d be quite ashamed of the hypocrisy.
Now that Trump is elected the steel industry sees its chance to expand its accusations of dumping to other producers whether its true or not. This is not the American way, as I knew it. Its sheer desperation and affront to the American consumers and the metals industry. And when President Trump becomes aware of the real facts, (if he wants to hear them) he’ll let them compete with the rest of the world.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Mills
USS Clairton begins full production of batteries 19 and 20, 13 and 14 hot idled
U.S. Steel has activated batteries 19 and 20 at its Clairton Coke Works facility after pausing each “out of an abundance precaution” following an explosion at the site on Aug. 11.
Steel Summit: Schneider sees SDI ‘on the edge of a very good run’
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) President and Chief Operating Officer, Barry Schneider, remains bullish about the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based steelmaker’s position in the current market.
Steel Summit: Burritt says USS and Nippon are fast-tracking modern steelmaking
U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt told audiences at SMU's Steel Summit 2025 that the iconic American steelmaker’s partnership with Nippon Steel is fast-tracking smarter steel production.
Nucor moves to stop HRC price slide with $10/ton hike
Nucor is attempting to halt the decline in hot-rolled coil prices with the announcement of a $10-per-short-ton increase in its weekly consumer spot price on Monday.
Explosion rocks ArcelorMittal’s DR plant in Mexico
ArcelorMittal reported a "strong" explosion at the direct reduction part of its massive Lazaro Cardenas mill in Mexico.