Steel Products
Steel caucus pushes US trade officials to maintain strong S232 program
Written by Laura Miller
August 26, 2025
The bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus is pushing for US officials to maintain a robust Section 232 program as they negotiate trade deals with America’s trading partners.
Reps. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), chairman of the caucus, and Frank J. Mrvan (D-Ind.), caucus vice chairman, recently penned a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer requesting as much.
The Caucus leaders urged adequate protection and policies for the domestic steel industry, including producers and fabricators, noting that the industry “serves as the backbone for the automotive manufacturing, construction, defense, energy, and transportation industries.”
The letter highlighted the increasingly challenging market conditions around the world, “with weakening demand coinciding with continued, unchecked capacity expansion.”
“Now is not the time to waver on our shared commitment to a strong and sustainable American steel industry,” Crawford and Mrvan stated.
They noted their support for the actions already taken by the Trump administration to strengthen and expand Section 232 measures, but urged it “not to accept any arrangements that will weaken the program and undermine the President’s national security objectives.”
Pushing further, the Steel Caucus leaders implored the Commerce Secretary and USTR “to continue promoting policies that crack down on unfair trade practices, close prior loopholes that have directly harmed domestic producers, and allow the American steel industry and its workers to thrive.”
Laura Miller
Read more from Laura MillerLatest in Steel Products
US and Canadian rig counts stabilize
US counts continue to hover just above historic lows, while Canadian figures remain comparatively healthy.
Plate market sources critique mill hikes amid current market conditions
Following spot market plate price increase notices issued by domestic mills this past week, participants are contemplating the rationale behind the increases and whether they will stick. Some sources anticipate that current market conditions will shift in November and believe the increases may set a new "pricing floor."
Oregon Steel Mills lifts plate prices by $60/ton
Oregon Steel Mills has joined other producers in announcing a price increase of at least $60 per short ton on steel plate.
CRU: Construction of pilot plant for green steel process starts
Voestalpine and partners have begun building an industrial-scale Hy4Smelt demonstration plant in Linz, Austria, which they hope will become key in the decarbonization of steel.
Rig count increases in the US and in Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity increased this week in the US and Canada for the third consecutive week, according to the latest Baker Hughes rig count data. US counts continue to hover just above historic lows, while Canadian figures remain comparatively healthy.