Steel Imports Up 32% Over Same Period in 2005

By Duluth News-Tribune, Minn.

Apr. 26–Steel imports reached 3.8 million net tons in March, a 32 percent increase compared to the same period in 2005, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. Of the total, 2.9 million net tons were finished steel, a 27 percent hike from March 2005.

On an annualized basis, total steel imports would reach 44.2 million net tons in 2006, an all-time record, according to the AISI.

Some of the largest import increases came from Taiwan, China, South Korea, Brazil and Japan.

Domestic steel officials say the first-quarter data underscores a need to closely monitor steel flows into the U.S. market. Import surges could damage producers and customers, said Louis Schorsch, AISI chairman and chief executive officer of Mittal Steel USA.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Duluth News-Tribune, Minn.

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