Final Thoughts

So while we may not have a crystal ball, it’s not hard to predict what some of the major topics of discussion will be, both on the stage and the sidelines of the conference.

Where the conference sits on the calendar means two hot-button issues will be front and center at this year’s Steel Summit: USMCA and USW.

USMCA

We’ve frequently highlighted that the USMCA is up for periodic review in July. But in today’s newsletter, I wrote about US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s visit to Mexico City this week. And talks between the two nations are set to begin in May, ahead of the negotiations slated for July.

Of course, at least for now, despite the spring thaw, trade relations between Canada and the US remain on the chilly side.

So will we be talking about bilateral agreements come Summit, or will all three nations sit down at the table and hash something out during the review talks? One thing to note is that USTR Greer reportedly said, “The tariffs are here to stay.” That is, whatever emerges, it’s not going to be a pre-Liberation Day world.

USW

While those talks start before the Summit begins, the United Steelworkers (USW) union contracts with both Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel are set to expire on Sept. 1. Could a deal be reached before then? We’ll be reporting on it as negotiations heat up.

Government projects

As we get further into earnings season, an interesting piece of info from Reliance Inc. could point to a broad topic of conversation at the conference: government spending.

The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based service center group made reference to two US government projects helping its bottom line. The company secured two government contracts in Q1’26 to supply the border wall and the US military’s Joint Strike Fighter projects through its AMI Metals Inc. (AMI) subsidiary.

Reliance President and CEO Karla Lewis said the projects collectively represent up to ~$3 billion in revenue.

The geopolitical situation shows little sign of stabilizing soon. Could infrastructure and defense projects provide a significant boost for steel? Perhaps “shovel-ready projects” will be showing up in more earnings releases and survey respondent answers as Summit approaches.

Speaking of infrastructure and defense, shipbuilding is back in the news. Earlier this month, I wrote about America’s Maritime Action Plan from the White House. Port infrastructure and shipbuilding are both on the docket.

On Wednesday, there was a hearing jointly hosted by the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Representatives Trent Kelly (R-MS) and John Garamendi (D-CA) have introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act (HR 3151). It’s bipartisan legislation aimed at revitalizing the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.

It has the support of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Commenting before the hearing, AISI President and CEO Kevin Dempsey voiced his approval.

“The legislation, which currently has 130 cosponsors, will strengthen and expand the US shipbuilding industrial base – enhancing U.S. national and economic security and restoring the competitiveness of America’s shipbuilding sector, including the domestic steel industry,” he said in a statement.

Of course, these are just a small sampling of things to look forward to at Summit. Tariffs, pricing, the economy, we have you covered. As I said earlier, it’s 123 days away, and with the way things have been going, who knows where we could be by then?  If you have any bright ideas, send them our way. Wherever it is, we look forward to seeing you this August in Atlanta. (And if you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here. Easy as 1-2-3.)