Philip K. Bell, head of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), delivered the opening presentation at the fall meeting of the International Iron Metallics Association (IIMA) in Chicago this week. He touched on three key themes: Section 232, the Mesabi Metallics mill in Iowa, and the increasing importance of financial experience for leadership positions in steel.
Steel trade groups applauded the US Trade Representative’s (USTR's) unveiling of "The Milwaukee Framework" to fight global excess steel capacity.
US steel industry groups representing most of domestic steel production are urging the Trump administration to tighten trade measures on steel imports from South Korea. They are seeking a South Korea-specific tariff-rate quota (TRQ) and an investigation into a reported import surge.
Several steel trade organizations have called on President Trump to resist weakening Section 232 steel tariffs.
A policy that protects steel production while making downstream American manufacturing less competitive internationally merely moves the injury along the domestic supply chain.
First, a big thank you to everyone who attended SMU Steel Summit this week and the inaugural AMU Aluminum Summit as well. I’m not going to crow too much about it being another record year in terms of attendance. But it was—and you made that possible. Also, it’s always great to see the entire steel […]
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has agreed to rescind the Open Top Loading Rule (OTLR), according to a notice issued by the Recycled Material Association (ReMA).
Steel and many steelmaking raw materials have been spared from additional forced labor Section 301 tariffs.
SMA's Philip K. Bell gives his perspective on the latest news regarding the USMCA review process.
The US Senate Finance Committee has advanced the nominations of five nominees to the US the International Trade Commission. They will now be considered by the full Senate.
The Office of the US Trade Representative has finalized a 25% Section 301 tariff on all goods imported from Brazil. Importantly for the US steel industry, pig iron has received an exemption from the tariff.
Testimony at last week’s Section 301 hearing put Brazilian pig iron in the spotlight. Domestic steelmakers and Brazilian suppliers warned that proposed forced labor tariffs would hit a critical US input for which there is no domestic substitute.
Notably, pig iron is not excluded from the proposed Brazil measures. This would represent a change from the Brazil EEPA tariffs, which excluded pig iron.
SMA's Philip K. Bell writes about the upcoming USMCA joint review.
Steel imports could become even more prohibitive, facing even higher tariffs, pending the outcome of the Trump administration’s Section 301 investigation.
Steel trade groups have come out in support of the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America's 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act)
The process to reduce Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs for producers in Mexico and Canada garnered mixed reactions from steel and metals’ supply chain advocacy groups.
The Trump administration's invocation of the Defense Production Act authorizes the Department of Energy to use DPA tools to accelerate construction, expand domestic manufacturing capacity, and shore up critical supply chains – all areas with direct implications for steel.
Domestic steel trade groups think real action could occur with the US chairing the Global Forum on Excess Steel Capacity this year at the OECD. .
The Steel Manufacturers Association’s (SMA's) Philip K. Bell believes President Trump’s steel tariffs have been effective so far, and thinks we should remain “solution-focused” regarding the upcoming USMCA review.
The US surpassed Japan in annual steel production in 2025 for the first time in 26 years, according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
Leaders of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) and the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) used this year's Tampa Steel Conference to outline the North American steel industry's central challenges: growing pressures, tariff realignments, and the upcoming USMCA review.
I want to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the Tampa Steel Conference. More than 600 people – smashing the record we set last year.
The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) has elected Steel Dynamics Inc.’s Barry Schneider as chair of its 2026-28 Executive Committee.
Members of the Congressional Steel Caucus met in Washington on Wednesday to assess the state of the domestic steel industry. Lawmakers and industry leaders discussed the importance of Section 232 tariffs, strong trade enforcement, and continued investment in American steelmaking.
SMA's Philip Bell looks back at 2025 and ahead to next year.
Global steelmakers sounded the alarm Friday over the deepening excess steelmaking capacity crisis. Ministers at the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) in Gqeberha, South Africa, pledged to...
Tariff policy dominated the discussion of the SMU Steel Summit trade panel on Tuesday afternoon. The message was clear: uncertainty is rattling the steel supply chain.
The Commerce Department has added over 400 HTS codes to the list of steel and aluminum derivative products covered under the Section 232 tariffs.
US and European steel trade groups were at odds over their reaction to the recent trade deal President Trump brokered with the EU.