Tag: tariffs

Former smelter sites have become increasingly attractive to data center developers competing for electricity to support AI.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil and landed offshore product narrowed this week, as price movements stateside and abroad diverged.

The latest Institute for Supply Management (ISM)’s Manufacturing PMI report found manufacturing activity expanded in January 2026. The preceding 26 consecutive months’ reports showed manufacturing activity in contraction.    

The Tampa Steel Conference will kick off just a few days after the Super Bowl, and I think it’s fair to say that we could be reacting to market developments in real time – again.

There is no evidence that unofficial talks are taking place to secure tariff reductions on Canadian aluminum or steel. One of the biggest challenges is simply understanding what the US actually wants from Canada.

Tariffs affect different parts of the economy differently. Tariffs on steel imports have contributed to price increases from domestic mills, improving their bottom lines. But orders from customers are slowing down, hurting downstream industries’ profitability and job prospects.

This news item was first published by CRU. To learn about CRU’s global commodities research and analysis services, visit www.crugroup.com. Canada’s Algoma Steel signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hanwha Ocean to support Canada’s submarine program and Algoma’s diversification strategy. A new structural steel beam mill may result. Financial support, subject to conditions being […]

A coalition of US steel industry CEOs has formally urged President Trump to maintain—and fully enforce—current Section 232 tariffs on steel and steel‑containing goods.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil and landed offshore product inched higher, even as prices stateside and abroad mostly moved in tandem vs. last week.

SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics earlier this week, ranging from market prices and demand, to inventories, imports, and evolving market events.

President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all exports from Canada into the US. It would be boastful (but not entirely inaccurate) to say you read it in SMU and heard it on Aluminum Market Update (AMU) first.

If forced to choose between Canada and Mexico, many manufacturers are likely to prioritize Mexico as the more important manufacturing hub.

The plate market’s swell of optimistic sentiment marking the start of 2026 dissipated this week.  

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product has been relatively flat to begin the year.

US steel imports have fallen sharply under the new 50% Section 232 tariff regime. Jerry Richardson, general director of CSN LLC, discussed on an SMU Community Chat this week how the market is now structurally tighter and more volatile than at any point in the past decade.

Does the level of geopolitical uncertainty get to the point where it impacts not only the stock market but also the broader steel market? Could we see a repeat of Liberation Day, or will the news cycle move on to something else by the end of the week? I don't pretend to know what might happen in Davos. Suffice it to say, it’s going to be a newsy week.

CSN LLC General Director Jerry Richardson will join Steel Market Update (SMU) for a Community Chat on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 am ET.

Last week, the government of China reported a trade balance of $1.12 trillion in 2025, the largest merchandise trade surplus in history. And this surplus was despite massive tariffs imposed by the United States and other countries, partly in an effort to rein in China’s trade juggernaut.

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.

CSN LLC General Director Jerry Richardson will join Steel Market Update (SMU) for a Community Chat on Weds., Jan. 21, at 11 am ET.

As we move into 2026, it’s time to look forward. While the “Donroe Doctrine,” Venezuela, and Greenland absorb significant press attention, important trade developments will also continue to make headlines this year. The unprecedented changes we saw in 2025 will continue in 2026, particularly in the areas of IEEPA and tariffs, USMCA, and the WTO.

Algoma Steel Group Inc. is preparing to report another significant quarterly loss as it winds down its blast furnace operations and ramps up electric-arc furnace steelmaking.

It's that time of year, when we look back at where we've been and forward to what the new year might bring. So, before we look forward to 2026, let’s take a quick look back at 2025.

Editor’s note This is an opinion column. The views in this article are those of an experienced trade attorney on issues of relevance to the steel market. They do not necessarily reflect those of SMU. We welcome you to share your thoughts as well at smu@crugroup.com. As we close out 2025, my best wishes to all […]

AISI's Kevin Dempsey looks back at 2025.

We will examine the wisdom of hedging from the perspective of both the LME and Midwest premium, and whether you are approaching the market as a buyer or a seller.

An SMU Community Chat with Timna Tanners.

A look at possible scenarios that could be announced during SMU's Tampa Steel Conference.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the US probably won't reduce tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other goods from Canada anytime soon.

Most buyers expect prices to rise slightly in the short term or remain flat. But many qualify this view as transitory or dependent on demand improvements.