Where Does the U.S. Get Its Steel and Aluminum?

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he will introduce 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, on top of existing metals duties, in another major escalation of his trade policy overhaul.

Here's a summary of the major trade partners it will affect.

Steel

Roughly a quarter of all steel used in the United States is imported, primarily from Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. Although China is the world's largest steel producer, it exports very little to the U.S. due to 25% tariffs imposed in 2018. Last year, China exported 508,000 net tons, accounting for just 1.8% of total U.S. steel imports.

Bar chart showing US steel imports by country of origin
Reuters

Aluminum

The U.S. is more heavily reliant on aluminum imports, with roughly half of its aluminum coming from abroad. Canada is the largest supplier, exporting 3.2 million tons last year—twice as much as the next nine countries combined. Other significant sources include the United Arab Emirates (347,034 metric tons) and China (222,872 metric tons).

The U.S. aluminum smelting industry is relatively small, accounting for just 1.73% of global capacity, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Bar chart showing U.S. aluminum imports by country
Reuters

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