Wednesday, July 28, 2004
PMA: Increase in Steel Imports in June is Good News for U.S. Steel Consumers: "'steel consumers in the U.S. desperately need access to competitively priced steel.' [...] June (preliminary) steel import data: total steel imports 2.9 million tons, an increase of 9% over May 2004. Year-to-date import levels through June are 14 million tons, an increase of 30% from 2003 levels.
'PMA is encouraged by the rise in steel imports,' said PMA President William E. Gaskin. 'Since domestic steel production is not sufficient to meet U.S. steel consumers' demand, it is imperative that steel consumers have access to imports. While the current increase in steel imports is positive news for U.S. steel consumers, the year-to-date steel import figures for 2004 are still 24% lower than the 'normal' pre-tariff levels of 2000.'
[C]ompared to the pre-tariff levels of 2001 and 2000, imports of hot- and cold- rolled steel are down 10% and 49% respectively.
'There is still a shortage of hot- and cold-rolled steel in the United States that is causing steel consumers to be uncompetitive in the global marketplace,' Gaskin said. 'Prices are higher by $100 to $200 per ton in this country compared to elsewhere in the world.'
'PMA is encouraged by the rise in steel imports,' said PMA President William E. Gaskin. 'Since domestic steel production is not sufficient to meet U.S. steel consumers' demand, it is imperative that steel consumers have access to imports. While the current increase in steel imports is positive news for U.S. steel consumers, the year-to-date steel import figures for 2004 are still 24% lower than the 'normal' pre-tariff levels of 2000.'
[C]ompared to the pre-tariff levels of 2001 and 2000, imports of hot- and cold- rolled steel are down 10% and 49% respectively.
'There is still a shortage of hot- and cold-rolled steel in the United States that is causing steel consumers to be uncompetitive in the global marketplace,' Gaskin said. 'Prices are higher by $100 to $200 per ton in this country compared to elsewhere in the world.'
