The US steel market delivered surprises in 2025, with overall imports falling sharply while India posted record-breaking growth. According to Thursday’s AISI report based on Census Bureau data, total imports reached 25,241,000 net tons – a 12.6 percent decline from 2024. Finished steel imports fared worse, sliding 17.1 percent to 18,665,000 net tons.
December imports totaled 1,577,000 net tons (down 3.8% from November), with finished steel at 1,160,000 net tons (up 6.9% MoM). Market share for finished steel hovered at 14 percent for the month and 18 percent annually.
Against this backdrop, India’s exports to the US exploded to 553,000 net tons, up 118.3 percent year-over-year. December shipments from India stood at 42,000 net tons, a modest 10.1 percent drop from November. This performance marks a leap from prior years, positioning India as a key player.
Traditional suppliers struggled: Canada supplied 4,524,000 net tons (-31%), Brazil 4,126,000 (-8%), Mexico 2,823,000 (-19.7%), South Korea 2,662,000 (-5.3%), and Germany 1,128,000 (+5%). In December, Brazil led with 257,000 net tons (+4.1% MoM), followed by Canada (234,000, -9%), South Korea (167,000, +1.3%), Mexico (137,000, -17.4%), and Japan surging to 109,000 (+52.6%).
Specific products thrived monthly: reinforcing bar soared 135 percent, cut-length plates 68 percent, plates in coil 44.6 percent, hot-rolled bar 38.9 percent, and heavy structural shapes 37.3 percent. Year-on-year, tin plate rose 24.3 percent, line pipe 18.5 percent, wire rod 13.2 percent, and oil country goods 12.6 percent.
Steel underpins America’s infrastructure boom, automotive revival, energy transition, and construction surge. As trade measures and supply chain debates intensify, India’s export boom reflects strategic adaptations and enhanced global standing in steel trade.