US HR still theoretically at a premium to Asian product despite S232 at 50%
The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product has been relatively flat to begin the year.
Tag: Imports
SMU Community Chat: Imports collapse, supply tightens as 50% S232 tariffs reshape market
US steel imports have fallen sharply under the new 50% Section 232 tariff regime. Jerry Richardson, general director of CSN LLC, discussed on an SMU Community Chat this week how the market is now structurally tighter and more volatile than at any point in the past decade.
Apparent steel supply slips in October
The amount of finished steel that entered the US market contracted from September to October, driven primarily by slowing domestic mill shipments, according to SMU’s analysis of Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data
Steel market chatter this week
SMU's steel market chatter this week.
Steel imports remain muted through December
According to recently released final US Commerce Department data, US steel imports rebounded 11% month on month (m/m) in October 2025 after falling to a multi-year low one month earlier. The latest license figures suggest imports eased back by 3% in November and by another 2% in December, with trade again nearing historical lows.
Plate sources welcome sticky price hikes, large order volumes
Steel plate market participants think increasing spot prices and growing order volumes could stick around. That’s two encouraging signs for the year ahead, they said. Oregon Steel Mills, SSAB, and Nucor all increased base prices for plate products by $40 per short ton (st) in the final weeks of December. SMU data also indicates that mills […]
Coated trade case finalized, but some imports sneak in duty-free
The US Department of Commerce has officially published the anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on corrosion-resistant steel sheet imports, the final step in the trade case originally filed more than a year ago. At the same time, Commerce also revealed it is allowing some CORE imports into the country without paying the AD or CVDs.
Leibowitz on Trade: Structural gaps in US policy hold manufacturing back
Editor’s note This is an opinion column. The views in this article are those of an experienced trade attorney on issues of relevance to the steel market. They do not necessarily reflect those of SMU. We welcome you to share your thoughts as well at smu@crugroup.com. As we close out 2025, my best wishes to all […]
Asian HR theoretically cheaper than US HR - even with S232 at 50%
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product continues to narrow, inching closer toward parity. The premium is now, on average, at its lowest level since July.
Apparent steel supply remains strong through September
Apparent steel supply rose to 8.64 million short tons in September, driven primarily by higher domestic mill shipments despite a sharp drop in finished imports.
Price on Trade: USMCA hearing highlights shortcomings of trade pact
In our opinion, it is striking that for all the bold talk about establishing a "common external tariff" — or "Fortress North America" — the solutions being proposed fail to live up to their promises. As we have commented recently, USMCA certainly needs a rethink. But we have serious concerns about Canadian and Mexican proposals that suggest common trade policies that are, as we see it, more illusory than effective.
Steel imports historically weak through November license data
According to recently finalized US Commerce Department data, US steel imports tumbled to a near five-year low in September
Spread between US HRC and imports tightens marginally
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product continues to narrow toward parity, now at its lowest level in five months.
Leibowitz: Taking the long view on trade and USMCA
We can be grateful for some things. One is the regional agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico that is currently undergoing review. A decision is expected by July 2026 on whether to extend the agreement, which is set to expire in 2036, for another 16 years (to 2052). Three days of hearings just concluded with comments of five minutes’ duration from more than 50 witnesses.
Steel market chatter this week
Earlier 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.
Price gap between US HRC, imports shrinks
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product has inched closer to parity, now at its lowest level since the summer.
Price gap between US HRC, imports narrows again
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product tightened further this week, as the average price for domestic hot-rolled was $10/st higher w/w.
Steel imports slump in September and October
US steel imports declined considerably in September and October, with trade falling to reduced levels not seen in nearly five years.
Price gap between US HRC, imports narrows
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product shrank week over week (w/w).
Final Thoughts
Sheet prices are in the middle of one of their most sustained rallies since the first quarter, and this time in the absence of any tariff or trade policy shocks.
Leibowitz: What happens if the Supreme Court rules against Trump's IEEPA tariffs?
The whole world waits for the Supreme Court to rule on the validity of President Trump’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs. Meanwhile, the ground is shifting. Just this past week, the president changed the direction of tariff policy. He belatedly concluded that taxes on imports of products that we don’t make in the United States are inflationary
Gap between US HR prices and imports widens slightly
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product has marginally widened week over week.
Gap between US HR prices and imports narrows
The gap between US hot band prices and imports narrowed slightly. But with the 50% Section 232 tariffs, most imports remain more expensive than domestic material.
Price gap between US HRC, most imports narrows slightly
In dollar-per-ton terms, US product is on average $141/st less than landed import prices (inclusive of the 50% tariff). That’s down from $148/st last week.
Steel market chatter this week
What's on steel buyers' minds this week? We asked about market prices, demand, inventories, tariffs, imports, and other evolving market trends. Read on for buyers' comments in their own words...
Gap between US HR prices and imports widens
SMU’s average price for domestic HR coil moved $5 higher this week, while price movements in offshore markets varied. This dynamic...
CRU: Soft demand weighs on sheet imports into the US
US domestic sheet prices have remained rangebound in recent weeks as supply tightness met weak demand. Demand for steel produced in the US increased among some Mexican industrial buyers....
Gap between US HR prices, imports narrows
SMU’s average price for domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil was $800 per short ton (st) this week, up $5/st week on week (w/w). In offshore markets last week, prices were varied.
Price on Trade: New EU steel tariffs don't mean the US should weaken its stance
Any steel imports into the EU that exceed the new, lower quota level would be subject to a 50% tariff, which represents a major increase from the EU’s current 25% out-of-quota tariff. This move would largely align the EU’s steel tariff rate with Canada and the United States.
Gap between US HR prices, imports little changed
SMU’s average price for domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil was $795 per short ton (st) this week, sideways week on week (w/w). The move was different in offshore markets last week, as prices eased marginally.