US line pipe producers may be trying their best to urge Donald Trump to implement Section 232 protections for domestic pipe mills due to surging imports, but agricultural and farming groups say the downstream financial harm to their industries will be substantial should the Trump administration enact stiff tariffs, due to promised trade-retaliation from Section 232 impacted countries.
The most recent data from the US Department of Commerce indicates that for the month of August, the US imported 207,365 mt (license data) of line pipe from global producers; in contrast, the US imported 110,859 mt (census data) of line pipe in August 2016.
And while the increase in import tonnages is compelling, the American Institute of International Steel (AIIS) is among those who are speaking out against 232 tariffs on steel imports, and is urging the Department of Commerce to consider the full economic impact of such a decision into consideration before releasing any results.
In terms of pricing, that’s remained stable week-over-week. US domestic API-X52 line pipe is still trending at $54-$55 cwt. ($1191-$1213/mt or $1080-$1100/nt), FOB Houston, while prices for US import API-X52 ERW line pipe from Mexico are still being heard at $46.50-$47.50 cwt. ($1025-$1047/mt or $930-$950/nt), FOB Houston.
Looking offshore, US import API-X52 ERW line pipe from Korea have also remained lateral at approximately $47.50 cwt. ($1047/mt or $950/nt), DDP loaded truck in US Gulf coast ports.