November 2001 Steel Imports Decrease 10 Percent from October

Washington, DC - Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of November 2001 show that steel imports decreased 10.2 percent from October 2001 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products

The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in November 2001 decreased 10.2 percent compared to October 2001. The decrease in November's total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in imports of semi-finished steel, hot-rolled steel, corrosion-resistant steel, and wire rod. November 2001 imports of finished steel products decreased 7 percent compared to October 2001, while imports of semi-finished steel fell 18 percent.

November 2001 imports of steel mill products were up 14 percent compared to November 2000. November 2001 imports of finished steel were up 3 percent compared to November 2000, while semi-finished steel products were up 78 percent compared to November 2000. January to November 2001 imports of steel mill products were down 22 percent compared to the same period in 2000. January to November 2001 imports of finished steel were down 21 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel were down 26 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel

November 2001 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 20 percent from their October 2001 levels and were down 29 percent compared to November 2000 levels. January to November 2001 imports of hot-rolled steel were down 59 percent compared to the same period last year. These products were the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Cold-Rolled Steel

November 2001 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 7 percent compared to October 2001 levels and were up 16 percent compared to November 2000 levels. January to November 2001 imports of cold-rolled steel were down 0.82 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Cut-to-Length Plate

November 2001 imports of cut-to-length plate increased 27 percent compared to October 2001. November 2001 imports were up 14 percent compared to November 2000. January to November 2001 imports of cut-to-length plate were down 9 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel

November 2001 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 14 percent compared to October 2001. November 2001 imports of these products were up 15 percent compared to November 2000. January to November 2001 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were down 18 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod

November 2001 imports of wire rod decreased 21 percent compared to October 2001 levels and were up 36 percent compared to November 2000 levels. January to November 2001 imports of wire rod were up 2 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Rebar

November 2001 imports of rebar fell 1 percent compared to October 2001. November 2001 imports of these products were up 140 percent compared to November 2000. January to November 2001 imports of rebar were up 5 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Hot-Rolled Bar

November 2001 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 11 percent compared to October 2001 and were down 4 percent compared to November 2000 levels. January to November 2001 imports of hot-rolled bar were down 19 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel

November 2001 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 18 percent compared to October 2001 and were up 78 percent compared to November 2000 levels. January to November 2001 imports of semi-finished steel were down 26 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.