US Steel Imports 5-24-25

The US can and does produce its own steel. The US is a major steel-producing nation, though it has faced challenges in maintaining its global dominance. In 2023, the US was the fourth-largest steel producer globally, according to the World Steel Association.  

The steel industry in the U.S. is concentrated in several key regions, with Indiana leading in steel production. Historically, states like Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have been major hubs for steel mills, but more recently, other states like Texas, North Carolina, and Alabama have also become significant players. 

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U.S. Steel ranks lowest among domestic producers, operating at 76% of capacity.

In 2023, the United States produced approximately 80 million metric tons of raw steel.

In 2023, the U.S. consumed approximately 93 million tons of steel,

The US auto industry consumes a small portion of domestically produced steel. In 2023, it used about 11 million metric tons (Mt) of steel, which is roughly 14% of total domestic steel production. 

The top five countries exporting steel to the United States are Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, and Japan. These countries together account for over 80% of US steel imports. While China is the world's largest steel producer and exporter, tariffs have limited its exports to the US. 

Canada is a major exporter of steel to the United States, and the US is Canada's largest export market for steel. In 2019, 89% of Canada's steel exports went to the United States. In 2024, Canada shipped nearly 6 million metric tons of steel to the US, accounting for about 23% of US steel imports. Canada is also a major supplier of aluminum to the US, with nearly 60% of US aluminum imports coming from Canada. 

Mexico is a significant exporter of steel to the United States, with a substantial portion of its exports going to the US market. In 2024, Mexico's exports of iron and steel to the US reached $3,543 million, representing 89.8% of total Mexican exports. In 2024, the US imported 3.52 million metric tons of steel from Mexico. This figure represents a 16% decrease from the 3.80 million metric tons imported in 2023. 

In 2024, Brazil was a major supplier of steel to the US, particularly steel plate. According to the Rio Times, Brazil supplied 60.7% of US steel plate import demand that year, exporting 3.4 million tons of steel to the US. However, recent U.S. tariffs on Brazilian steel and aluminum could significantly impact this trade relationship. 

South Korea is a significant steel exporter to the United States, and the US is a major market for South Korean steel exports. South Korea's annual steel exports to the US typically range between 2.3 and 2.6 million metric tons. Key steel exports include steel pipes, hot-rolled steel sheets, and heavy plates. 

In 2024, Japan's steel exports to the U.S. were 1.18 million tons, valued at $2 billion. This represents 1.4% of Japan's total exports to America. Japan had an annual duty-free quota of up to 1.25 million tons of steel for the U.S., which it did not fully utilize in 2024. Japan's top steel exports to the U.S. include wire of iron or non-alloy steel, flat-roll stainless steel products, and wire of other alloy steel. 

Comments

Additional Steel is needed to use in building new manufacturing plants in the US. The US needs to add 10.72 million tons of steel to its production to meet us consumption.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader