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Try the Free AI Search EngineNorth American Steel Market: US-China Trade Tensions & Mexican Tariff Pause Impacting Production
In North America, steel production trends are being influenced by international trade dynamics. The “Mexico president confirms tariff pause after call” suggests a potential easing of immediate trade tensions between the US and Mexico, while the articles “Beijing is quietly dictating the trade war’s next moves as Trump and Xi prepare to meet” and “U.S. and China hope to make progress on tariffs as Trump and Xi meet in South Korea” indicate continued uncertainty in US-China trade relations. However, at this time, no direct relationship can be established between these articles and the satellite-observed changes in plant activity.
The mean steel plant activity across North America peaked in July 2025 at 47% before declining sharply to 28% in October 2025. Nucor Steel Berkeley plant consistently operated well above the mean, increasing steadily from 71% in May to 79% in October, highlighting its relative stability. Gerdau Fort Smith steel plant showed a slight overall increase, from 44% in May to 51% in October, remaining near or slightly above the North American average until the sharp drop in average activity in October. CMC Arizona steel plant steadily increased its activity from 39% in May to 50% in October. Gerdau Cartersville steel plant showed fluctuating activity, peaking at 67% in August before declining to 63% in October. Gerdau Petersburg Steel Mill showed relatively stable activity levels, peaking at 72% in July and August, before decreasing to 67% in October.
Nucor Steel Berkeley plant, located in South Carolina, utilizes EAF technology with a crude steel capacity of 2956 ttpa, produces finished rolled products like beams and sheets. Activity at this plant consistently increased, reaching 79% in October. This sustained high activity, despite the overall market downturn, may indicate strong domestic demand for its products in the automotive, building and infrastructure, and energy sectors. No direct connection to the provided news articles can be established.
Gerdau Fort Smith steel plant in Arkansas, with an EAF capacity of 550 ttpa, produces semi-finished and finished rolled products. Its activity increased slightly to 51% in October. However, given the significant drop in mean activity across North America, this increase may not be indicative of overall strength. No direct connection to the provided news articles can be established.
CMC Arizona steel plant, with a 354 ttpa EAF capacity, focuses on finished rolled products like bar and rebar for the energy and construction sectors. Activity steadily increased to 50% in October. This increase could be driven by regional construction demand. No direct connection to the provided news articles can be established.
Gerdau Cartersville steel plant in Georgia, producing angles, channels, and flats with a 908 ttpa EAF capacity, saw activity fluctuate, ending at 63% in October. This suggests that regional demand may be volatile. No direct connection to the provided news articles can be established.
Gerdau Petersburg Steel Mill in Virginia, with a 1000 ttpa EAF capacity producing channels, H piling, and wide flange beams, experienced relatively stable activity until October. This suggests a stable demand for its products in building and infrastructure. No direct connection to the provided news articles can be established.
Given the declining mean steel plant activity in North America, and the ongoing uncertainty regarding US-China trade relations as highlighted in “Beijing is quietly dictating the trade war’s next moves as Trump and Xi prepare to meet” and “U.S. and China hope to make progress on tariffs as Trump and Xi meet in South Korea,” steel buyers should closely monitor inventory levels and consider diversifying their supplier base to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions. The “Mexico president confirms tariff pause after call” may provide a degree of stability for US-Mexico trade. Procurement professionals should leverage this period to strengthen relationships with Mexican suppliers, but simultaneously explore alternative sourcing options to buffer against future policy shifts.