The latest MEPS International podcast, "The Market in Minutes," said that steel demand in August was "nowhere near what market participants in the United States had previously expected.
Laura Hodges, an analyst at the US steel market, based on a study conducted for the MEPS International Steel Survey, summed up the growth in demand in the country. The steel market, its main price trends and prospects are in the new 12-minute issue.
Hodges said the supply of steel is plentiful, with the utilization rate of domestic steel mills approaching 80%, and imports still exceeding two million tons per month, despite 50% tariffs on steel under Article 232.
However, referring to Tom Sharp, editor-in-chief of MEPS, she added: "From conversations with MEPS research partners, it seems that demand is simply "normal" and, of course, not everywhere as they expected at the beginning of the year."
The MEPS International Steel Review report recorded a decrease in prices for all flat rolled products in the United States in August. Despite the recent decline, Hodges said prices are likely to decline throughout the rest of the year 2025.
She said: "There are two things that really need to happen to boost demand and, of course, even higher prices: lower interest rates and an end to uncertainty about our trade policy in the United States
"Both will happen sooner or later, but we do not expect the impact of both of these factors to have a real impact on steel demand and prices until 2026."
The MEP's latest podcast "The Market in Minutes", dedicated to the United States, is part of the podcast series "Talking about Steel". You can watch it right now at your favorite podcast provider. Click below to access the 12-minute episode.:
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Regular reviews of the steel market in the United States information on the steel market is published in the International Steel Review prepared by members of the European Parliament. The monthly publication provides subscribers with information on steel prices, indexes, market commentary, and forecasts from key global steel markets.
Contact the MEPs for detailed information on how to subscribe.
