According to preliminary Census Bureau data from the US Department of Commerce (USDOC), US hot-rolled coil (HRC) imports totaled around 98,300 tons in July, a 17% hike from the previous month but a 37% decrease from the same month a year ago.

Among these, South Korea was the top supplier with around 37,000 tons, surging by 581% month on month and by 290% year on year. Canada ranked second with about 36,200 tons.

The value of these imports totaled roughly US$66 million in July, rising by 17% from the preceding month and plunging by 51% from the prior-year period.