Tag: tariffs

SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics this week, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market events. We are sharing some of the comments we collected.

The Canadian steelmaker said its absorbing higher tariffs as it moves forward.

Let’s just say the impact of the latest tariffs on the domestic steel market is uncertain at best.

The construction sector added 13,000 jobs, seasonally adjusted, in March, but tariffs could undermine the industry.

For trading partners, the tariffs will reduce demand for exports and depress growth. Over the coming days, trade partners will almost certainly announce retaliation, which will hit US exports.

Tariffs are taxes that the government collects. Funds are disbursed by acts of Congress. If domestic companies, including manufacturers, are to benefit from “protective” tariffs, they must raise their prices as well. Maybe not by the entire amount of the tariffs, but by some. Inflation will come.

SMU’s Buyers’ Sentiment Indices experienced multi-point declines this week, though both remain positive and continue to reflect optimism among steel buyers for their companies' ability to be successful.

Supply chains are working through what the tariffs mean for them

Who could’ve guessed that the first stage to follow liberation would be confusion. Well, when things get this liberated this fast, perhaps it’s to be expected. From the 30,000-foot view, “Liberation Day” didn’t have a significant impact on steel tariff-wise. That is, the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs stand alone from the reciprocal tariffs […]

Market dynamics are shifting rapidly, with futures pricing diverging from physical fundamentals, creating a complex landscape for steel traders.

Algoma Steel CEO Michael Garcia will be the featured guest on SMU’s Community Chat webinar on Wednesday, April 9, at 11 a.m. ET. Register here for free to join the timely conversation. As a key Canadian flat-rolled steel producer and supplier to the US, Algoma can offer valuable insight into the evolving tariff landscape — its challenges […]

Canada imposes auto tariffs, while automaker Stellantis temporarily idles some plants.

US steel trade groups representing mills had a far more positive reaction to President Trump’s “Liberation Day” than the leading recycled metals association.

President Trump’s promised “Liberation Day” has arrived, with a 10% minimum tariff on imports. But there are some very important exceptions: The United States’ USMCA partners, Canada and Mexico, are excluded from the reciprocal tariffs for now. In addition, steel, aluminum, as well as autos and auto parts are excluded from the reciprocal tariffs. That’s […]

The market breathlessly awaits the arrival of President Trump's "Liberation Day."

Trump's new auto tariffs will apply to passenger vehicles (including sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans), light trucks, and certain automobile parts (including engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components).

The constant flow of information we all receive can be a little overwhelming, but SMU is here to help with a snapshot of the week.

During the chat, we’ll discuss trends in the North American sheet and plate markets, as well as the unique aspects of the Canadian market. We’ll talk all thing tariffs — and the timing couldn’t be better in the wake of Liberation Day on April 2.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a proclamation that will impose a 25% tariff on most imported passenger vehicles.

This week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, including market prices, demand, tariff policies, inventories, imports, and emerging market events.

Steel Market Update is pleased to share this Premium content with Executive members. Contact info@steelmarketupdate.com for information on how to upgrade to a Premium-level subscription. Growth in SMU’s Steel Demand Index eased in March after reaching a four-year high in late February. Despite a moderate gain, the index remains in expansion territory. The Steel Demand […]

After a March frenzy, are prices nearing a peak in April? Some of you have suggested that they are. Others think it's too early to make any such call.

People remain concerned about inflation, trade policies, and tariffs.

President Trump said on Monday there may be exceptions for some countries on reciprocal tariffs.

South Korea’s Hyundai has formally announced a nearly $6-billion investment to build a steel mill in Louisiana to supply steel for the company’s automotive interests in the southeastern US.

Have we hit a bit of a lull when it comes to the recent price bump? Mills certainly capitalized on the threat of tariffs and the unknown, with much that still could unfold.

On February 10, President Trump announced a massive restructuring of tariffs on steel and aluminum. Those changes took effect on March 12, and they will impact US manufacturing. What will the impact be? Bye-bye exclusions Perhaps the most important change, which hits imports from all countries, is the loss of a product exclusion process to […]

These developments come at a time when the global trading system has been shaken up by US President Donald Trump’s greater use of tariffs, including employing Section 232 legislation to impose a 25% levy on steel from all countries to protect national security.

Are President Trump's tariff policies helping? Steel buyers offer their opinions on the impact of Trump's tariffs.

The aluminum market is facing a wave of uncertainty following the latest Section 232 tariffs, leaving many in the industry asking the same key questions – from why the Midwest Premium isn’t reacting as expected to how these tariffs will impact Canada, value-added products, and scrap flows – there’s plenty to unpack. We’ve put together […]