Although demand and offer prices within the US import wire rod market remain unchanged week-on-week, sources tell SteelOrbis that hints of optimism in the US domestic wire rod market could translate to the import market as well. “If spring demand goes well for US [wire rod] mills, imports might look attractive again,” one source said.
However, other sources caution that overall uncertainty for imports—considering an environment in which tariffs can be implemented or revoked “at a moment’s notice”—could still depress demand for import wire rod even if domestic buying activity increases in the near-term.
As such, US import wire rod offers are expected to trend stable, currently in the range of $28.50-$29.00 cwt. ($628-$639/mt or $570-$580/nt) DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports from Germany.