US steel imports dropped by 8.5% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, mainly due to higher tariffs imposed by the US government. 

In August, President Trump expanded the 50% tariff to all steel and aluminum imports, including over 400 derivative products, further reducing import volumes. 

In the January-September period, finished steel imports declined by 12.2%. In September, steel import license applications totaled 1.65 million short tons, down by 12% from August. 

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that finished steel import market share fell to 14% in September, compared with 16% in August.