Steel Products
Few Favor NAFTA Withdrawal
Written by Tim Triplett
September 12, 2017
Seven out of 10 respondents to the latest Steel Market Update market trends questionnaire feel the United States should not withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement. Less than 30 percent say the U.S. should follow through on its threats to pull out of the trade pact if it does not win concessions from Canada and Mexico.
“A trade agreement between North American countries makes too much sense,” commented one mill executive. “The worst decision is to withdraw from our local trade pact. We will lose out in the end,” said a trading company executive. “As a consumer, I don’t want my price of goods to go up,” added a respondent from a service center.
{loadposition reserved_message}

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Steel Products

September energy market update
In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels through September. Trends in energy prices and rig counts serve as leading indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and line pipe demand.

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.

U.S. Steel to halt slab conversion at Granite City Works
U.S. Steel said it plans to reduce slab consumption at its Granite City Works near St. Louis, a company spokesperson said on Monday. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker will shift the production and processing of steel slabs to its Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh and its Gary Works near Chicago. Citing a United Steelworkers (USW) union memo, […]

SMU Week in Review: September 1-5
Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on.

HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics
As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.