SMU Community Chat

SMU Community Chat: Jan. 15 with SMA President Philip K. Bell

Written by Michael Cowden

January 8, 2025

Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) President Philip K. Bell will join SMU for our first Community Chat of 2025.

We’ll talk about what to expect from the incoming Trump administration, the changing trade and tariff landscape – and what it all means for domestic steelmakers, service centers, and manufacturers.

Don’t miss out! Mark your calendar for Jan. 15 at 11 am ET. And register here. (Editor’s note: The live webinar is free for all to attend. A recording will be available to SMU subscribers.)

Why should you listen?

Because SMA is one of the leading steel trade associations. And because Phil is a DC veteran. He’s seen trade policy evolve and change across the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. That means he has the contacts and experience to give you a good idea of what to expect when Trump 2.0 comes to town on Jan. 20.

Phil’s also got experience in operations – something that sets him apart from just about any other DC lobbyist I can think of. He started his career in maintenance and operations in the 1980s with Elementis Chromium in Corpus Christi, Texas. He later moved into steel and up in the executive ranks at Qualitech Steel (now owned by Nucor) and Gerdau.

In other words, Phil knows his stuff – whether that’s the nuts and bolts of how government power works or what’s needed to power a modern EAF mill.

Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 11 am ET (10 am CT) for what is sure to be a lively discussion. We’ll take your questions too. So make sure to bring some good ones to the Q&A.

Michael Cowden

Michael Cowden is managing editor for Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He specializes in flat-rolled steel but has also reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden held reporting jobs at Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago, the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, and the Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. He has also worked as a copy editor and in marketing at the University of Chicago Press. Cowden has a BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Contact him at michael@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7872.

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