The amount steel producers and related industries and associations spent on lobbying the US government jumped 20.1 percent to $12.2 million in 2018, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The total also reflects the highest amount in over 20 years.
Nucor led the industry with $2.23 million in lobbying, up 16.8 percent compared to 2017, followed by ArcelorMittal with $1.47 million, and US Steel with $830,000. Additionally, the American Iron and Steel Institute, which represents the interests of US steel producers, spent $552,000 on lobbying efforts in 2018.
On the international side, Instituto Aco Brasil, the main steel association in Brazil, spent $80,000 in lobbying following zero lobbying efforts in 2017. Additionally, Mexican steelmaker Deacero spend $250,000 in US lobbying efforts; the company also did not account for any US lobbying the year before.
A full list of lobbying spending by US steel producers is listed below:
| Company/Association | 2018 Lobbying Total | Change from 2017 |
| Nucor Corp | $2,230,000 | up 16.8% |
| ArcelorMittal | $1,470,000 | down 8.7% |
| US Steel | $830,000 | up 10.7% |
| POSCO | $760,000 | down 1.9% |
| AK Steel | $738,000 | down 14.6% |
| NLMK Inc | $700,000 | up 11.1% |
| Jinghua Rizhao Steel | $560,000 | up 143.5% |
| American Iron & Steel Institute | $552,980 | down 13.3% |
| California Steel Industries | $490,000 | up 8.9% |
| Interpipe Corp | $480,000 | up 84.6% |
| JSW Steel Ltd | $431,608 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| SSAB AB | $320,000 | 0% change |
| Majestic Steel USA | $260,000 | down 13.3% |
| Hyundai Motor Co | $250,000 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| Deacero SA | $250,000 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| PAO TMK | $240,000 | up 71.4% |
| Evraz Inc | $200,000 | 0% change |
| ThyssenKrupp AG | $160,000 | down 12.5% |
| North American Stainless | $150,000 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| Ellwood Group | $150,000 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| Renco Group | $135,000 | up 37.8% |
| BlueScope | $130,000 | up 44.4% |
| Gautier Steel | $120,000 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| Steel Founders' Society of America | $120,000 | 0% change |
| Stupp Brothers | $120,000 | down 19.5% |
| Whemco Inc | $120,000 | 0% change |
| Specialty Steel Industry of N. America | $80,000 | down 33.3% |
| Instituto Aco Brasil | $80,000 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| Cold Finished Steel Bar Institute | $30,000 | up 50% |
| TimkenSteel Corp | $20,000 | no lobbying in 2017 |
| TOTAL | $12,177,588 | up 20.1% |