The new MEPS podcast, "Talking about Steel," discusses whether demand from the U.
S. construction sector will support higher prices for long products in 2026.
The decline in steel supplies as a result of the application of 50% tariffs on steel under section 232import in early June contributed to an increase of more than 20% in the prices of steel used in the construction sector, including rebars and beams, from January 2025.
As new domestic production starts in 2026, MEPS has teamed up with Dodge Construction Network to consider whether the balance of supply and demand could change and what impact this would have on steel prices.
Sarah Martin, Deputy Director of Forecasting at Dodge Construction Network, joins the discussion with U.
S. steel market analysts Laura Hodges and Gary Sanders at MEPS.
An episode of the podcast hosted by MEPS editor Tom Sharp is available via
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Hodges said, "The Dodge Construction Network is a wonderful resource for building data and analysis in the United States. I use their Dodge Momentum index every month when analyzing the steel markets. This is a great indicator of the future demand for long steel products, so it was really nice to get the opportunity to hear Sarah's opinion and link her opinion to MEPS' own research on the US steel sector.
"Last year, steel prices increased significantly in response to a reduction in supply.
Here we were able to raise the question of whether increased demand can support such high prices in the coming months."
Listen to the new edition of the Conversation about Steel program titled "Will Construction support high steel prices in the United States in 2026?" to benefit from:
- Prospects for the U.
S. construction sector, presented by Sarah Martin, Deputy Director of Forecasting at DodgeConstruction Network
- Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the US construction sector and prospects for steel demand
- Discussion on the impact of the U.
S. Section 232 tariffs on the supply of rebar and beams to the construction sector and upward pressure on prices
- Consideration of possible consequences of the Middle East conflict on inflation and interest rates
The latest issue of the MEPS podcast "Talking about Steel" follows the February issue on U.
S. tariffs, which attempted to answer the question "Is Section 232 the "only certainty" for the U.
S. steel market after the tariff shake-up?" This episode is available on demand along with other "Conversation about Steel" discussions on YouTube, Spotify and Apple.
Podcasts.
Regular reviews of the U.
S. steel market are featured in the International Steel Review. The monthly report contains steel prices, price indices, market commentary, and forecasts. Contact MEPS to learn how to subscribe.
