Steel Products
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/11be5ca690416b632281b2f421e2cf4b.jpg)
Steel Summit Poll Favors Trump Again
Written by Tim Triplett
August 27, 2020
The “crowd” at this year’s Steel Market Update Virtual Steel Summit was a conservative and somewhat pessimistic one, judging by polling data gathered during the event this week. SMU posed eight questions to the 900 industry executives who registered for the summit and this is the breakdown of their opinions.
The majority view of the industry: Steel demand will be down more than 10 percent at this time next year and the hot rolled steel price will be under $400 per ton. But the new steel capacity coming online in the next few years will be good for business.
On the political front, more than 50 percent of the respondents believe the economy would fare better under a Republican administration and President Trump should get a second term. It’s worthy of note that in 2016 when Hillary Clinton was seen as the frontrunner, Donald Trump received 48 percent of the vote in the steel summit poll vs. Clinton’s 22 percent. This year it’s closer, with conference attendees favoring Trump over Joe Biden 53 percent vs. 41 percent.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/tim-triplett.jpeg)
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Steel Products
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/coils2.png)
US steel imports slipped in August after rising in July
July represents the second-lowest monthly rate for steel imports so far this year.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/oil_drill.png)
Rig count update: US count eases, Canada’s flat
Oil and gas drilling activity in the US edged lower last week, while the Canadian rig count held steady at a six-month high.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/HRC-Futures.png)
HR futures: Trade case action official – It was already priced in?!
This month’s column on the markets could be a response to the question of last month, “Are the forward curve prices on Aug. 7 high enough to price in trade case risks?" The market’s answer has been a pretty resounding YES so far, I think.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/cropped-SMU_Mobile_final.png)
SMU survey: Lead times edge higher for sheet
Current steel mill lead time averages are a few days longer than levels seen one month prior, but remain near historical lows for both sheet and plate products.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Hybar-logo.jpg)
Steel Summit 2024: Hybar CEO accelerating growth plans for US steel market
Hybar CEO David Stickler and SMU Managing Editor Michael Cowden shared a candid conversation about Hybar's ambitious plans on Tuesday morning at the SMU Steel Summit, held in Atlanta this week.