Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
July 10, 2017
Earlier today, I got a request from one of our readers looking for articles about Section 232 as they wanted to do an article on the subject for their customers. In responding to their inquiry, I performed two searches using the search box in the top righthand corner of our website. (I usually log in to my account first in case the articles retrieved are member-only access articles). Since the subject was Section 232, I used that as my first search and quite a few articles popped up. I also did a search using Lewis Leibowitz in the search box, since I knew that Lewis has been quoted and has written quite a bit on the subject for SMU. Whenever you are looking for an article on a specific subject, try out our search box as you may be surprised by how much you are able to find on the topic. Of course, you are always welcome to ask us a question by using the info@SteelMarketUpdate.com email address.
As I mentioned in our steel prices article, I am concerned that what was expected to happen regarding tariffs or quotas on foreign steel is either not going to happen or is being watered down to such a degree that it will have minimal impact on supply and ultimately prices. Look for signs (tweets?) that President Trump starts reporting success at the G20 meeting with the steel agreement and that the threat of Section 232 has resulted in one-on-one negotiations with individual countries. The expectation now is NAFTA countries, Australia and European countries will not get hit. This is my opinion as of today, and with President Trump one needs to be nimble to see where things ultimately shake out. Stay tuned as my opinion may be quite different if the news changes tomorrow.
After the 2016 SMU Steel Summit Conference, my goal for 2017 was to get to 500 attendees. I am humbled that we will exceed that number. The conference facility is capable of handling over 600 people in our existing space and we have plenty of room to expand into the thousands should the manufacturing and steel industries find value in our conference and wish to continue to attend in future years. Always being the salesman, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you can find more information, including how to register to attend, on our website…
And, if you don’t want to attend our conference, maybe you know someone who would benefit from learning more about how steel is made, used, bought and sold and what factors impact supply/demand and pricing. Our next Steel 101 workshop will be held in Ft. Wayne, Ind. on Oct. 4-5 and will include a tour of SDI Butler. Details are on our website.
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
We’ve talked about tariffs ad nauseam for much of the year. And I’m afraid this topic isn’t going away anytime soon. There’s a feeling that the tariff “can” will just be kicked down the road again and again, and again.
Final Thoughts
Can technology help with pig iron and DRI/HBI tariffs?
Final Thoughts
Tariff-related noise aside, there is one basic factor keeping buyers on the sidelines. Despite recent declines, HR prices remain at historically high levels. And there is no obvious support to keep them there.
Final Thoughts
United Airlines raised eyebrows earlier this month when it provided two forecasts for 2025 – one assuming a relatively stable economy and another assuming a recession. The reason? Uncertainty around the impact of President Trump’s policy shocks on the broader economy. And it sometimes feels like we’re seeing a battle between those two narratives (stable vs recession) play out within in the pages of this newsletter.
Final Thoughts
Despite some scary headlines lately (especially about Trump potentially firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell) this is not October 2008 (financial crisis) or March 2020 (onset of the pandemic). But it sure seems like we’ve taken a relatively strong economy and poured a thick sauce of uncertainty over it.