US import rebar and wire rod pricing was steady as demand for import material remains limited following the June 4 implementation of 50 percent steel tariffs, market insiders told SteelOrbis this week. Weekly spot markets remain quiet, they said, as many buyers and sellers remain sidelined waiting on the July 9 end of the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Trump on April 2.
At this point, media reports indicate that most key US trade partners, including Canada and Mexico will likely negotiate with the US for a combination of steel supply quotas and tariffs as part of their re-engineered global supply chain and tariff strategies. Those countries unable to renegotiate their country-specific tariffs with the US, likely will get a letter from the Trump administration indicating their new tariff level.
Spot market insiders said long steel importers, facing higher delivered costs amid ongoing 50 percent Section 232 steel tariffs, continue to find few buyers willing to accept their higher offers, even as domestic prices continued trending higher.
Reports indicate the doubling of steel tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent has increased the delivered price of import rebar and wire rod by $6.00-7.00/cwt., making much imported material non-competitive against domestic supply.
On the US Gulf Coast, as high pre-tariff inventory continues to be drawn down, import rebar on a loaded truck basis vicinity Houston is offered flat on the week at $39-42/cwt., off from $41-42/cwt., or on average $41.50/cwt., two weeks earlier. Inventory from Mexico staged in Texas on a loaded truck basis is offered steady at $39.50-42.50/cwt., little changed versus the prior week’s $40.00-$42.00/cwt., workable trading range.
“Mills are holding firm on their $60/ton price increases,” remarked one Gulf Coast rebar importer. “But, broad-based demand has yet to catch up. Imports remain non-competitive, and most foreign producers are avoiding the U.S. markets until there’s more clarity on tariffs.”
Like last week, insiders tell SteelOrbis price volatility could continue through July as the market re-calibrates around new costs, trade policy uncertainty, and potential retaliation from Canada and Mexico against the US.
And, following recent mill price increases from Nucor, CMC and others, importers said US mills might release another volley of price increases as the third quarter of 2025 approaches and import pricing remains non-competitive.
“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,” one importer said recently. “With 50 percent tariffs still in place, we’re likely to see another move by mills to increase prices as import pricing still remains non-competitive.”
In the wire rod markets, insiders report workable spot trade offers remain steady at $45-46/cwt., off about $10/nt ($11/mt) from $45.50-46.50/cwt., two weeks prior.