US import rebar and wire rod pricing was mostly down this week as demand for imported materials remains limited following the implementation of 50 percent steel tariffs on June 4, market insiders told SteelOrbis this week.
They said that importers, facing higher delivery costs due to the ongoing 50 percent Section 232 steel tariffs, are finding few buyers willing to accept their higher offers, even as domestic prices continue to trend upward.
They also told SteelOrbis that the June 4 doubling of steel tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent would increase the delivered price of imported rebar and wire rod by $6.00-$7.00/cwt., rendering much of the imported material noncompetitive against the domestic supply. Unless in-transit cargoes are sold at distressed prices, higher import pricing will enable domestic producers to continue raising their offers.
“Price volatility is likely to continue through July as the market recalibrates around new costs, trade policy uncertainty, and potential retaliation from Canada and Mexico against the US,” said one international rebar dealer. “Imports remain noncompetitive, and most producers are avoiding the US markets until there’s more clarity.”
Following recent price hikes by Nucor, Commerical Metals Company (CMC), and other mills, importers said US mills might announce more price increases as the third quarter of 2025 approaches.
“I think many importers are waiting to see what happens in the domestic markets because domestic markets might be needing more wire rods due to ongoing production issues,” stated one importer to SteelOrbis. “Following the 50 percent tariffs, we’re likely to see another move by mills to increase prices as import pricing still remains non-competitive.”
On the US Gulf Coast, import rebar on a loaded truck basis near Houston is offered at slightly lower prices, ranging from $39.00-$42.00/cwt., down from $41.00-$42.00/cwt., or an average of $41.50/cwt., compared to a week earlier. Inventory from Mexico staged in Texas on a loaded truck basis is offered at a wider range of $39.50-$42.50/cwt., though this is little changed from the prior week’s workable trading range of $40.00-$42.00/cwt.
“We’re seeing a current softer outlook for import pricing due to the war in the Middle East and because US demand remains not that strong,” another importer told SteelOrbis. “We’re starting to hear of rebar offers for the third quarter in the $42.00-43.00/cwt., range that might be more competitive once US mills announce another round of price increases.”
In the wire rod markets, insiders report workable spot trade offers in the $45.00-$46.00/cwt. range, down about $10/nt ($11/mt) from $45.50-$46.50/cwt. one week prior.
