
Photo courtesy of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Despite a multi-pronged tariff regimen introduced by President Donald Trump, flows of imported steel into the United States increased nearly 20 percent in May compared with the previous month.
U.S. Census Bureau statistics analyzed by the Washington-based American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) show more than 2.48 million tons of imported steel came into the U.S. this May, a 19.7 percent increase compared with approximately 2.07 million tons that entered the U.S. in April.
Despite the increase, year to date after five months, total and finished steel imports are down 6.2 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively, compared with 2024.
Some of the May activity may have involved shipments from companies facing additional early July reciprocal tariff deadlines. May steel imports from South Korea were up 69 percent compared with the prior month and those from Brazil were up 34 percent.
The tariff environment, which already includes across-the-board duties on steel, may have played into better financial results for some U.S.-based recycled-content electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking firms this spring, with CMC reporting an improved revenue situation this spring and Nucor Corp. and Steel Dynamics Inc. poised to announce improved earnings this week.
The profitability of blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steelmakers in the U.S. this spring is not yet as clear. Cleveland-Cliffs will release its second quarter earnings report July 21, while U.S. Steel results now will be included within reports issued by the Japan-based Nippon Steel Corp.
The United Steelworkers (USW) union, which represents some mill workers at Cleveland-Cliffs, U.S. Steel and some other firms, has indicated it thinks more can be done to prevent imported steel inflows.
Early this month, the USW and the German Industrial Union of Mining, Chemical, and Energy Workers (IGBCE) union in Europe issued a joint news release calling for additional policy measures on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
“Global supply chains are the arteries of industrial prosperity, but they must be built on fairness, not exploitation,” IGBCE President Michael Vassiliadis says. “This is not about protectionism—it’s about building resilient, sustainable industries that respect workers’ rights and ensure that no one is left behind.”
Presidents of the two unions have called for “a worker-centered agenda that will ensure widespread prosperity well into the 21st century” in both nations.
One of the four main points the unions emphasize involves trade policy. The USW and IGBCE are advocating for fair trade rules that target unfair practices abroad, with a particular focus on addressing nonmarket economic competition.
“Together, we need an ambitious, worker-centered agenda that protects good jobs, strengthens our industries and invests in the skills, technologies and infrastructure we need to compete well into the future," USW President David McCall says.
Get curated news on YOUR industry.
Enter your email to receive our newsletters.
Latest from Recycling Today
- Reju, Circle-8 partner to develop UK textile circularity
- Aduro joins PLASTICS, PSRA
- Rumpke awarded recycling contract in Bowling Green, Ohio
- VPPA and RISI to host pulp and paper summit in Vietnam
- Agilyx buys stake in Green Dot
- Meadow tabs aluminum as key to boosting beauty sector recycling
- Recycling industry stakeholders testify at Congressional hearing
- Missouri city expands recycling capabilities with funding from The Recycling Partnership