How much steel does the United States import?
In 2025, the United States imported 22.9 million metric tonnes of steel, making it the top steel importer in the world, according to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration. While the United States imports steel from 79 countries and territories, the top ten sources —Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, India, and Turkey—account for 76.8 percent of steel imported into the United States in 2025.
Canada was the largest source of U.S. steel imports in 2025, supplying 4.11 million metric tonnes or 17.91% of total steel imports. It was followed by Brazil at 3.74 million metric tonnes or 16.32% of total steel imports, and Mexico at 2.57 million metric tonnes, or 11.19% of total steel imports.
How have import volumes changed over the years?
Between 2016 and 2025, annual steel imports fluctuated with import volumes rising in 2017, 2021, and 2024, and falling in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025. Overall, the volume of steel products America imported dropped from 30 million metric tonnes in 2016 to 22.9 metric tonnes in 2025, representing a 23.7% decline.
From 2024 to 2025, import volume decreased from six of the United States’ top 10 steel import sources, and the value of imports decreased from seven of the country’s top 10 steel import sources. Shifting trade policies along with other geopolitical considerations have led to notable changes in where the U.S. imports steel from. While Canada was the top supplier in 2025, the volume the United States imported from Canada dropped 30.99% from 2024 levels. Meanwhile, steel imported from India climbed 118.17% during the same period.
What type of steel products does the U.S. import?
Steel products fall under five categories: flat products, long products, pipe and tube, semi-finished, and stainless. Flat products are produced by rolling semi-finished steel through varying sets of rolls. These include sheets, strips, and plates that are commonly used in the manufacturing of automobiles, tubing, appliances, and machinery. Long products include bars, rails, rods, and beams commonly used in construction. Pipe and tube products include either seamless or welded pipes and tubes commonly used in the construction and energy sectors. Semi-finished products are solid forms of steel that need to be further processed into finished steel products. These include blooms, billets, slabs, ingots, and steel for castings. Lastly, stainless products are steel products that contain at least 10.5% chromium, which offers better protection against corrosion compared to regular steel.
