Supply Chain Research

The U.S. Commerce Department’s hearings regarding its “section 232” review of the steel industry, due May 24, come after significant declines in U.S. steel imports. These fell 35% in the 12 months to March 31 from their peak in February 2015. The decline was mostly due to a 59% cut in supplies from China, showing trade cases work. Yet, there has been a rebound more recently with a 41% rise in imports in the month of March, and a further 38% in April. That was mostly due to imports expanding from Russia and NAFTA. They may become targets once the review reaches its conclusions, which Pres...