U.S. Steelmakers Voices Concern Over Sharp Rise in South Korean Imports

Steel News  |  2026-09-30 05:50:47   |   By

Shipments of long steel products, including rebar, from South Korea climbed to a record 145,300 tons in July 2026, representing a sixfold increase compared with 22,100 tons recorded in July 2024.

Summary
  • Call for Investigation: The U.S. steel industry formally petitioned Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to investigate a massive spike in steel imports from South Korea.
  • Dramatic Import Surge: South Korean long steel shipments, including rebar, skyrocketed to a record 145,300 tons in July 2026—marking a sixfold increase compared to July 2024 levels.
  • Tariff Protections Threatened: Industry representatives warned that these escalating import volumes across long products, flat-rolled steel, and pipes and tubes risk undermining the protective benefits of existing Section 232 tariffs.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. steel industry has called on the Trump administration to investigate a sharp increase in steel imports from South Korea. It warned that rising shipments could weaken the impact of existing Section 232 tariffs.

In a letter addressed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, industry representatives highlighted significant growth in import volumes across several steel product categories, including long products, flat-rolled steel, and pipe and tube.

Shipments of long steel products, including rebar, from South Korea climbed to a record 145,300 tons in July 2026, representing a sixfold increase compared with 22,100 tons recorded in July 2024. South Korea possesses substantial pipe and tube manufacturing capacity, which relies heavily on export markets, with the U.S. serving as a major destination.

The domestic steel industry acknowledged the administration's efforts to reinforce steel tariffs. However, it warned that the latest import trends could undermine the intended benefits of strict trade protection measures.

Industry groups urged an immediate response from authorities, including a thorough examination of the factors driving the import surge. They emphasized that effective tariff enforcement is essential to maintaining domestic production growth, sustained long-term investment and employment.