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    November 18, 2021

    CRU: U.S. Buying Landscape in Flux with Prices Falling, Trade Talks

    Written by Estelle Tran

    By CRU Senior Prices Analyst Estelle Tran, from CRU’s Global Steel Trade Service, Nov. 18

    In the last several weeks, U.S. sheet prices have started to decline, though prices remain well above global prices. Under pressure from imports and service centers eager to sell high-cost inventory before the end of the year, prices for processed sheet to end-users have plummeted below mill spot prices for coils in many cases. With domestic and imported prices falling and mill lead time shortening, U.S. mills have been more willing to offer “foreign fighter” deals – sales for volumes usually 1kt or more at significantly lower prices meant to deter buyers from placing import orders.

    Estelle Tran

    Estelle Tran is a senior analyst at CRU based in Pittsburgh. Estelle joined CRU as a steel and ferroalloy prices analyst in October 2017. She is the main contact for data providers who contribute to the CRU Midwest flat-rolled steel indices. She is also the editor of the Steel Monitor and analyzes the monthly service center inventories report for Steel Market Update. Prior to joining CRU, Estelle worked at S&P Global Platts, reporting on flat-rolled steel, long steel, primary aluminum and trade issues. She earned a B.A. in English writing and history from the University of Pittsburgh. Estelle is also past president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and the Northeast regional vice chair.

    Read more from Estelle Tran

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