AISI: U.S. Steel Imports Drop in August, Finished Steel Market Share at 16%

Steel imports into the United States declined in August, reflecting softer demand and shifting trade dynamics, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), based on the Commerce Department’s Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system.

Steel import permit applications totaled 1.88 million net tons in August, down 15.7% from July’s preliminary figure and about 16% below July’s finalized volume. Finished steel imports fell even more sharply, slipping 16.9% to 1.4 million net tons.

For the first eight months of 2025, cumulative steel imports totaled 18.7 million net tons, a 6.9% year-on-year decrease, while finished steel imports dropped 10.6% to 13.9 million net tons. AISI estimated finished steel’s market share at 16% in August and 20% year-to-date.

Despite the overall contraction, certain product categories posted notable increases. Tin free steel surged 51%, pressure tubing rose 41%, while tool steel and black plate registered double-digit growth compared with July. On a year-to-date basis, stainless pipe and tube imports climbed 51%, with tin plate and line pipe also recording significant increases.

Among suppliers, Canada remained the largest source with 288,000 net tons, though slightly down from July. Brazil and Mexico followed, both reporting declines. Notably, imports from Japan spiked 82% month-on-month, even as volumes from South Korea tumbled 47%.

Analysts note that the slowdown reflects both cooling domestic demand and trade realignment amid ongoing infrastructure spending and global supply shifts. The U.S. steel industry continues to monitor international competition closely, especially as policies on tariffs, carbon border adjustments, and energy transition could reshape import flows in the coming quarters.

While overall import volumes are trending lower, selective product categories and suppliers continue to gain ground. This suggests a fragmented recovery, with implications for U.S. producers balancing supply chains against evolving demand.

Source: AISI