This week, President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal that the results of the Section 232 investigation will be delayed until after the administration “gets everything finished up between healthcare and taxes and maybe even infrastructure.”
Those involved with buying and selling US import line pipe say this puts the whole market in a tough position, due to the still-pending uncertainty surrounding possible tariffs on imported steel.
“No one wants to have to go back to their customers and say ‘hey, so your order is going to be late and it’s going to cost you an extra $150/nt ($7.50 cwt. or$165/mt)’.”
In terms of current pricing, prices for US import API-X52 ERW line pipe from Mexico in the US domestic market continue to be heard at $45.50-$46.50 cwt. ($1003-$1025/mt or $910-$930/nt), FOB Houston.