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    Analysis

    May 6, 2026

    Survey says steel imports are enticing, but still not many takers

    Written by Laura Miller

    Steel traders continue to report strong interest from North American buyers, with their import orders ticking higher, according to our latest survey results. Many manufacturers and service centers, however, report they have not yet taken the bait.

    SMU’s May 1 flat-rolled steel buyers’ survey results showed 80% of traders reported foreign products are attractive to US buyers (slide 55 below). While down from 89% in the previous survey, the figure still points to strong interest.

    Laura Miller

    Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held various editorial positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills since 2007. She joined the SMU team in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

    Read more from Laura Miller

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