How long will US import HDG offers hold steady?

Pricing for US import HDG coil has remained stable since our last report a week ago, although sources close to SteelOrbis have indicated that some customers are wary about committing to booking offshore tons due to recent downward price revisions within the US domestic spot market

Other sources, however, say they’ve been more than happy to commit to tonnages, due to a belief that imports will still be cheaper than domestic offerings by the time they arrive.

“I think we can all agree that Section 232 [tariffs] will be around through at least the first half of 2019,” a source said. “If imports are still cheaper, even with the tariff, it makes sense to buy offshore. The only thing that would cause domestic prices to tank would be if the tariffs went away and we don’t think that’s going to happen in the immediate future.”