Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., a flat-rolled steel producer in the US, has immediately closed new spot orders for hot-rolled coil (HRC) for delivery in December 2025. Contract customers can only place orders within existing agreements.

The company attributed the move to a significant increase in domestic demand over the past month. This rise was driven by higher import tariffs and market shifts requiring steel to be "Melted and Poured in USA."

The surge has completely filled the company's hot-rolled steel production limits through the end of the year. Lead times now extend into January 2026, for which the order book has not yet opened.