Analysis
June 2, 2026
SMU Survey: N. American demand edges higher while import interest stays selective
Written by Laura Miller
US steel buyers report firmer domestic demand, but long lead times, rising freight costs, and geopolitical uncertainty continue to cause caution on imports.
North American orders are ticking up, according to multiple traders responding to SMU’s May 29 steel buyers’ survey. Three-quarters of traders reported demand as increasing (slide 54 below). One trader noted “sentiment is positive,” even as supply tightness persists. Another said demand is higher, but it’s “hard to source competitively.”
