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Try the Free AI Search EngineAsia Steel Market: Activity Diverges Amidst US Tariff Uncertainty
Asia’s steel market shows diverging plant activity amidst uncertainty surrounding US tariffs. The impact of the US court’s ruling, as reported in “FAQ: Wie es mit den US-Zöllen nach dem Gerichtsentscheid weitergeht” and the US government’s subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court, outlined in “US-Regierung wendet sich im Streit um Zölle an Obersten Gerichtshof,” is creating volatility. While the news could affect steel demand in the US and potentially redirect trade flows, no direct immediate impact is discernible on current Asian plant activity levels based on the provided data. However, rising US tariff revenue, detailed in “US tariff take surges to $31B in August, setting new monthly high for 2025“, could indirectly influence global trade dynamics.
From March to August 2025, the mean steel plant activity in Asia fluctuated, peaking at 43% in May, before dropping to 13% in September. Kardemir Celik Sanayi Izmir steel plant in Turkey consistently operated at high activity levels, increasing from 91% in March to 99% in August. In contrast, Arvand Jahanara Steel Khouzestan plant in Iran exhibited lower activity, decreasing from 31% in March to 20% in August. Bengang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. in China showed a relatively stable activity, ranging from 45% to 53%. Kardemir Celik Sanayi’s activity was substantially above the mean, while Arvand Jahanara’s was consistently below. The significant drop in the mean Asian steel plant activity in September to 13% is not explicitly explained by the named news articles.
Kardemir Celik Sanayi Izmir steel plant, a 1250 ttpa EAF-based facility producing finished rolled products for various sectors, including automotive and construction, showed consistently high activity (above 90%) from March to August, peaking at 99% in August. This high level of activity appears unaffected by the news surrounding US tariffs, and no direct connection can be established based on the provided information.
Bengang Steel Plates Co., Ltd., a large integrated steel plant in Liaoning, China, with a crude steel capacity of 12,800 ttpa using BF, BOF, and EAF processes, showed relatively stable activity levels between 45% and 53% from March to August. The plant produces automotive, home appliance, oil pipeline, and container plates. As with Kardemir, no direct link can be established between the plant’s activity and the provided news articles regarding US tariffs.
Arvand Jahanara Steel Khouzestan plant, a 1500 ttpa EAF-based plant in Iran, displayed activity levels consistently below the Asian mean, declining from 31% in March to 20% in August. Given the plant’s focus on the domestic market and the absence of explicit information about its export activities, it is unlikely that the tariff disputes reported in the named articles directly impacted its production during this period.
The legal uncertainties surrounding US tariffs, detailed in “FAQ: Wie es mit den US-Zöllen nach dem Gerichtsentscheid weitergeht” and “US-Regierung wendet sich im Streit um Zölle an Obersten Gerichtshof,” coupled with the increase in US tariff revenue (US tariff take surges to $31B in August, setting new monthly high for 2025), suggest potential future disruptions in global trade flows. Given the consistently high activity of Kardemir Celik Sanayi Izmir, Turkish steel may face increased competition in the US market if the tariffs are reversed or reduced. Steel buyers should closely monitor the Supreme Court’s decision and prepare for potential shifts in steel pricing due to altered trade dynamics. Those sourcing from China and Iran, where Bengang and Arvand Jahanara are located, respectively, should monitor overall global trade dynamics but may not need to immediately adjust procurement strategies based solely on the provided information and observed plant activity, as no direct correlation could be found.