Price gap between US HRC, most imports narrows slightly

SMU’s average price for domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil was $820 per short ton (st) this week, $15/st higher week over week (w/w). In offshore markets last week, prices were either down or didn’t rise by as much.

The dynamic slightly narrowed the price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product. But with the 50% Section 232 tariffs, most imports remain more expensive than domestic material.

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.