US imports of stainless steel products covered by the Bush Administration’s Section 201 steel import tariff programme decreased in January and April 2002, according to the latest data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). However, imports increased for stainless steel sheet/strip and stainless steel plate – products not included in the programme that went into effect last March.
In addition, total stainless steel imports declined 5% to 174,020 tons in the first four months of 2002. Stainless steel sheet/strip imports, by far the industry’s largest product line, increased 2% to 94,576 tons. These products are not included in the Section 201 safeguards. Stainless steel plate imports increased 8% in the first four months of this year to 16,933 tons. These products are not included in the Section 201 safeguards.
Imports of total specialty steel, which includes stainless steel, tool steel, and electrical steel, declined 10% in YTD April 2002 with four-month import penetration at 26%. Tool steel imports, while decreasing 22%, captured 92% of US market share in the first four months of this year. Electrical steel imports declined 25%; four-month import penetration was 21%.
