Although many within the market for US domestic and import for Grade A electric residence weld (ERW) black plain end (BPE) standard pipe continue to wonder how much, if any the US line pipe trade case will have on futures prices from Taiwanese and Korean producers, for now the market is holding status quo. The preliminary margins are due out before the end of the month, and it’s been speculated if the mills named in the suit get slapped with substantial margins, they could shift their focus to the US import standard pipe market instead. But for now, everything is holding lateral.
Futures prices from Taiwan have held steady in the approximate range of $38.50-$39.50 cwt. ($849-$871/mt or $770-$790/nt) DDP loaded truck in US Gulf Coast ports, while Vietnamese offers continue to trend approximately $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) higher; Korean offers are also still available for $2.00 cwt. ($44/mt or $40/nt) above the Taiwanese range, all DDP loaded truck in US Gulf coast ports.
In terms of the domestic market, US spot prices are also unmoved and continue to hold in the approximate range of $47.00-$48.00 cwt. ($1,036-$1,058/mt or $940-$960/nt) ex-Midwest mill, although sources tell SteelOrbis that anyone who shows up with a hefty order can negotiate deals up to $1.25 cwt. ($28/mt or $25/nt) below the average spot range.