Steel prices are on the way down, but not steel buyers’ optimism – at least not yet. Steel Market Update’s indexes for both Current and Future Buyers Sentiment registered lofty readings of +78 this week. Could this be industry optimism at its peak? SMU surveys buyers every two weeks and asks how they view their chances […]
Algoma Steel posted record profits in its fiscal second quarter, and the Canadian flat-rolled steelmaker expects money to continue to pour in as high spot prices roll into 2022 contracts. The Sault Ste Marie, Ontario-based company also thinks that the traditional relationship between sheet and plate prices will be restored as infrastructure spending increases demand for […]
Steel Market Update’s price range for plate products raised a few eyebrows this week. Allow me to point out a few facts about SMU pricing data. SMU provides a weekly range as reference points for you to review. The reference points come from steel buyers and from steel mills. However, we place the most emphasis on […]
Steel buyers are “confused” as are some traders as to what deals are being offered into the hot rolled market right now. Steel Market Update has been advised by a couple of large HRC buyers of offers below $1,600 per ton ($80.00/cwt), while at the same time we have spoken to buyers who continue to […]
Steel buyers are “confused” as are some traders as to what deals are being offered into the hot rolled market right now. Steel Market Update has been advised by a couple of large HRC buyers of offers below $1,600 per ton ($80.00/cwt), while at the same time we have spoken to buyers who continue to […]
Ferrous scrap prices saw an unexpectedly big jump in November, with shredded scrap selling as high as $75/GT above October levels. Prime scrap rose $20/GT, sources tell Steel Market Update. Observers were expecting higher prices in November on strong export demand and some seasonal tightening of supplies, but were surprised by the size of the […]
The House has finally passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill after months of wrangling not only among Republicans and Democrats but also among factions within the Democratic party. “American steel built this country, and the industry is now ready to get to work on rebuilding this country. Repairing and modernizing our national transportation system is essential […]
By Trade Attorney Lewis Leibowitz I summarized the newly announced trade deals between the United States and the European Union last week. I use the plural because a lot of issues were addressed in the statements that followed. Today’s column evaluates a few of the trends that are visible from these statements – notably on […]
SMU’s next Community Chat webinar will feature veteran trade attorney Lewis Leibowitz. We’ll talk Section 232, the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) with the EU, and the changing global trade landscape. The free webinar begins at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT) on Wednesday, Nov 17. You can register by clicking here. Why should you listen? The […]
By Greg Wittbecker, Advisor, CRU Group Since I spoke at the Fall Management Meeting, the market has continued to experience tremendous volatility and new variables to consider. CRU has recently updated its expectation for market balances, premiums and LME prices. These forecasts can be seen in detail through our Aluminum Market Outlook subscription. Here are […]
South Korea is pushing for “swift consultations” with U.S. trade officials about Section 232 following the negotiation of a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) with the European Union, according to local media reports. Seoul is concerned that the deal with the EU – which will allow approximately 3.6 million short tons of steel into the U.S. duty […]
SMU contributor Tim Stevenson is a partner at Metal Edge Partners, a firm engaged in Risk Management and Strategic Advisory. In this role, he and his firm design and execute risk management strategies for clients along with providing process and analytical support. In Tim’s previous role, he was a Director at Cargill Risk Management, and […]
Mill executives have been front and center over the past couple weeks during their earnings calls and the annual gathering of AISI and SMA members in Washington. Below is a sampling of some of their more notable remarks: • Just because the U.S. and EU managed to negotiate a quota to replace the controversial Section […]
Japan wants a waiver from the current Section 232 regime following the U.S. negotiating a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) with the European Union. The issue came up during a virtual meeting between U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Koichi Hagiuda, head of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, on Thursday, Nov. 4. Minister Hagiuda “strongly […]
By CRU Principal Analyst Josh Spoores Trade representatives from the USA and Europe came to an agreement at the end of October in regard to the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. The Department of Commerce further announced on Oct. 31 that consultations regarding the trade of steel remain ongoing between the USA and […]
U.S. mill CEOs generally praised the tariff rate quota (TRQ) agreement reached with the EU. But they stressed that enforcement would be key to its success. The United Kingdom, Japan and countries that have hard quotas – such as South Korea – are places that come to mind when one thinks of where a deal might […]
The tariff-rate quota, or TRQ, replacing Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the European Union will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, per details of the agreement released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). A 25% tariff will be still applied after the quota limit – 3.3 million […]
By CRU Senior Analyst Ryan McKinley from CRU’s Steel Sheet Products Monitor Falling demand in most markets around the world has continued to weigh on steel sheet prices. Meanwhile, the announcement that the USA will remove Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum producers in the EU and replace them with a quota system means […]
The deal just announced between the U.S. and EU to replace the Section 232 tariffs with a tariff rate quota and to cooperate in reducing climate-changing carbon emissions was seen as a breakthrough by many – but not all. Trade groups representing steel consumers and producers from other parts of the world expressed “disappointment” that the […]
It goes without saying, the steel industry is in a dynamic, volatile market and the only thing that is certain is the volatility will continue as we move into calendar year 2022. It is not just price we need to watch over the coming months. There are many moving pieces to this puzzle. The agreement […]
It goes without saying, the steel industry is in a dynamic, volatile market and the only thing that is certain is the volatility will continue as we move into calendar year 2022. It is not just price we need to watch over the coming months. There are many moving pieces to this puzzle. The agreement […]
By Trade Attorney Lewis Leibowitz At the last minute, the U.S. and EU announced a deal to keep the tariff wars from getting worse. Yesterday, at the G20 meeting in Rome, the two sides announced an agreement that will prevent major retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports to Europe from going into effect on Dec. 1. […]
We’re all on the same price roller coaster, and that’s true whether we’re talking steel, plastic or wood. But we’re not all on the same car – and so your impression of the market might be vastly different if you’re in the front car instead of the back one. That’s the impression I got while speaking […]
The U.S. and European Union (EU) announced a deal this weekend that removes Section 232 tariffs on imports from the EU and replaces them with a tariff rate quota (TRQ) system. The agreement ends a dispute dating back to 2018 when President Trump imposed Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, and it heads […]
The U.S. and the European Union (EU) could reach a deal that would lead to the removal Section 232 tariffs from steel imports from the trade bloc as soon as this weekend, according to sources familiar with the matter. The two sides would most likely agree to a tariff rate quota, or TRQ, which would replace […]
Editor’s note: SMU Contributor David Feldstein is president of Rock Trading Advisors. Rock provides customers attached to the steel industry with commodity price risk management services and market intelligence. RTA is registered with the National Futures Association as a Commodity Trade Advisor. David has over 20 years of professional trading experience and has been active […]
Do you sense the steel market is changing? “There is definitely a different tone to the market over the past few weeks,” said one of the many buyers responding to Steel Market Update’s questionnaire this week expressing similar views: “There are many more sellers than buyers now. Domestic pricing will slide soon.” “The market has […]
By Philip Bell, President, Steel Manufacturers Association Editor’s note: Phil Bell and SMA are now periodic contributors to Steel Market Update. Look for Phil’s insights on steel and events in Washington in future issues of SMU. The U.S. and EU want to resolve the Section 232 steel tariff issue by Nov. 1. This is an […]
The U.S. will “move away” from Section 232 tariffs on steel from the European Union, Nucor’s top executive said. “What the final outcome looks like – whether it’s a tariff rate quota, we’ll wait and see,” Leon Topalian, president and CEO of the Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker, said during a conference call with analysts on Thursday. […]
The 2022 Tampa Steel Conference agenda and speakers are coming together nicely. Steel Market Update enjoys working with our friends at Port Tampa Bay as we prepare for a unique, fun, quality steel experience in Tampa, Fla., in mid-February. The conference dates are Feb. 14-16, but if you are concerned about conflicts with Valentine’s Day, […]