The mere “fear factor” of a potential trade case against certain offshore producers of US import hot dipped galvanized (HDG) seems to be enough to have shaken up the market. “No one wants to get left holding the bag if something does wind up being filed,” according to one Midwest source. Although offer prices from India and China have held steady since our last report a week ago, anyone who would be interested in booking sizeable tonnages could easily negotiate deals slightly below the most commonly reported ranges. Others say they’re also wary about booking futures at this point based on arrival times, since no one wants to pad inventories in time for the end-of-year inventory tax.
| Import HDG offers to the US | Cwt. | Metric ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week |
| 0.012”x40.875” G30 | ||||
| China* | $42.00-$43.00 | $926-$950 | $840-$860 | neutral |
| India* | $42.50-$43.50 | $937-$959 | $850-$870 | neutral |
| 0.019" x 48" G90 | ||||
| China* | $40.50-$41.50 | $893-$915 | $810-$830 | neutral |
| India* | $42.50-$43.50 | $937-$959 | $850-$870 | neutral |
| Import Galvalume offers to the US | ||||
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | ||||
| China* | $43.00-$44.00 | $948-$970 | $860-$880 | neutral |
| India* | $43.00-$44.00 | $950-$970 | $860-$880 | neutral |
| *DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports | ||||