Analysis
August 30, 2024
Written by David Schollaert
Steel Market Update will be taking time off in observance of Labor Day.
We will not publish an issue on Sunday, Sept. 1, and our offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2.
Our weekly pricing service will not be impacted.
We will resume our regular publication schedule and our pricing service on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Canadian steelmaker Algoma's plans to bring forward the scheduled full transition to electric-arc furnace (EAF) steel production by one year merits a revisit. Why? Because of its potential impact on ferrous scrap flows between the US and Canada.
In our opinion, it is striking that for all the bold talk about establishing a "common external tariff" — or "Fortress North America" — the solutions being proposed fail to live up to their promises. As we have commented recently, USMCA certainly needs a rethink. But we have serious concerns about Canadian and Mexican proposals that suggest common trade policies that are, as we see it, more illusory than effective.
According to recently finalized US Commerce Department data, US steel imports tumbled to a near five-year low in September
US plate market participants hope the new year will bring favorable market conditions. But they remain leery of making big purchases because of lingering uncertainty.
The latest SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices showed mixed results.