Supply Chain Research

The U.S. Commerce Department was due to complete an assessment of the impact of trade deals on domestic procurement of steel among other products under President Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” Executive Order by September 15. A full report with policy recommendations is not formally due until November 24. Yet, experience with the section 232 review of the steel industry suggests details may not be published and possibly action delayed. In the meantime U.S. steel imports climbed 26% in July, and on a quarterly basis have reached their highest since March 2015. July’s growth was led...