Category: Features

Is a pattern finally emerging in the post-Liberation Day tariff landscape?

The Commerce Department has added over 400 HTS codes to the list of steel and aluminum derivative products covered under the Section 232 tariffs.

SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) moved higher in July after rebounding the month prior. The shift comes after mill orders declined from March through May.

Don't be puzzled. Solve our crossword, and get ready for Steel Summit 2025!

With so much happening in the news cycle, we want to make it easier for you to keep track of it all. Here are highlights of what’s happened this week and a few things to keep an eye on.

The question of the new world order was on many minds last week when I spoke on another SMU Community Chat. The short answer is that nobody knows in detail what the effects of all the economic and geopolitical developments will be.

Brown's career began at the historic integrated U.S. Steel mills near Pittsburgh. He now helps lead the Big River Steel EAFs in Arkansas.

Reporting and enforcing steel tariffs are two top–of-mind concerns for US manufacturers, the US Customs and Border Protection agency, importers, and others across the supply chain.  

In July, US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply increased month on month, following the seasonal summer trend of inventory build with slowing shipments.

We're getting ready to initiate the 10-day countdown until Steel Summit 2025 in Atlanta. Liftoff is on Aug. 25, and the conference goes through Aug. 27. With the speed at which things have moved this year, it will be great to take a breath and reflect on what's happened so far.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events.

Canada has launched an investigation into the alleged dumping of imports of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) by five countries – Korea, the Philippines, Turkey, Mexico, and the United States.

The latest SMU Community Chat webinar reply featuring Lewis Leibowitz, trade attorney and SMU columnist, is now available on our website to all members.

Yesterday’s tragedy and loss of life at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Works is a stark reminder of how important safety in the workplace really is.

US President Donald Trump extended the US and China’s 90-day pause on planned reciprocal tariffs on Monday.

Total heating and cooling equipment shipments eased from May to June, according to the latest data released by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

The amount of finished steel coming into the US market increased 3% from May to June, climbing to one of the highest rates seen in recent years, according to SMU’s analysis of Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data

US steel mills have ramped up output since April, with weekly production increasing in all but four of the past 16 weeks.

What are our scrap survey participants saying about the market?

The administration continues to negotiate deals with US trading partners, and the reciprocal tariff program appears poised for further modification. This week, we focus on other important developments that may have received less media attention.

Both SMU Sentiment Indices continue to show that buyers remain optimistic for their company’s chances of success, though far less confident than they felt earlier in the year.

SMU’s Aug. 8, 2025, steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

The volume of steel shipped outside of the country in June fell 3% from the prior month to 618,000 short tons (st), according to recently released data from the US Department of Commerce.

What the word "sideways" means can depend on where you sit on the procurement spectrum.

Following January’s pre-tariff surge, imports have remained low since February compared to post-pandemic volumes

SMU’s Monthly Review provides a summary of our key steel market metrics for the previous month, with the latest data updated through July 31.

Mill production times for sheet products are holding just above multi-year lows, while plate lead times remain elevated.

Most steel buyers continue to report that mills are open to negotiating spot prices. Negotiation rates have remained high for most of the past three months.

Veteran trade attorney Lewis Leibowitz will join SMU for a Community Chat on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 11 am ET.

Current and future scrap sentiment indices declined this month, according to SMU’s latest ferrous scrap survey data.