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    Analysis

    July 25, 2025

    USS, Nippon continue to press lawsuit against Cliffs, USW chief

    Written by David Schollaert

    U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel are not done settling scores with those who opposed their historic, $14.9-billion partnership.

    Both parties remain full-speed ahead in their lawsuit against Cleveland-Cliffs and the head of the United Steelworkers (USW) union for allegedly conspiring to block the merger, according to a report by Trib Total Media.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

    Read more from David Schollaert

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    Fed Beige Book finds stronger steel, machinery demand but rising cost pressure

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    Final Thoughts: Sheet prices and lead times are climbing, so are inventories and imports

    On the face of it, nothing much changed in the US steel market this week. Lead times continue to extend. Inventories remain lean. And mills can pretty much name their price. Sheet lead times, which extend well into December, remain at the highest levels we’ve seen since 2021. Plate lead times, meanwhile, set a new record. At 11 weeks on average, they’re higher than anything we’ve recorded – including during the boom year of ’21.