Content
@
0 reply
0 recast
0 reaction
Icetoad 🍕 🎩 🐈
@icetoad.eth
Half of all steel and aluminum that Canada produces goes to the USA normally. We are talking about $7.1 billion (USD) in steel and $9.4 billion in aluminum in 2024. This is 46% of the USA's total steel and aluminum imports. If these sectoral tariffs do double from 25% to 50% on June 4th then there will be a lot of job losses on both sides of the border and little to no steel and aluminum flowing into the USA. Steel and aluminum inventories in the USA are currently at multi decade lows. A June 4th tariff date would cause current supplies to be used up quickly and shortages would begin in July. The USA can theoretically produce enough steel domestically, but ramping up steel mills isn't an instantaneous process. In terms of aluminum, even if all idle smelters are restarted then domestic aluminum production would still not be able to meet demand. It is also worth noting that steel and aluminum tariffs were not (temporarily) struct down by the trade court's decision earlier this week.
3 replies
0 recast
11 reactions
Steve (Oz)
@ozmium.eth
Did you see the Nippon Steel deal is back on now too apparently? 🫣
1 reply
0 recast
2 reactions
Icetoad 🍕 🎩 🐈
@icetoad.eth
I just looked it up now that you mentioned it. It was framed as an acquisition before and is now being framed as a partnership with American oversight. I guess the new version includes building a new mill. What's your take?
1 reply
0 recast
1 reaction
Steve (Oz)
@ozmium.eth
Depends on the mill. The unioners were pissed already because the mills from JPN they’d get required layoffs due to requiring less labor to operate. So I’m guessing we’re getting those automated arc one and the tariffs/econ will be the scapegoat for the job losses instead.
1 reply
0 recast
1 reaction
Icetoad 🍕 🎩 🐈
@icetoad.eth
There are US owned mills in Japan? I don't know enough about this industry other than from a macroeconomic view
1 reply
0 recast
1 reaction
Steve (Oz)
@ozmium.eth
Oh sorry I meant arc furnaces for the mills. They were going to set up automaton focused arc furnaces that were great, but would likely result in mass layoffs due to not needing barely as many people anymore. That was their “threat” if they didn’t get the merger greenlit. Looks like they get to do that regardless of the furnace plans though.
2 replies
0 recast
1 reaction
Icetoad 🍕 🎩 🐈
@icetoad.eth
I have no idea what an arc furnace is ha
1 reply
0 recast
1 reaction
PermaProNoob
@strangesmell
The market will always pick the less expensive path of production and delivery therfore the unions will lose. I grew up in a "union" town and know this from experience.
0 reply
0 recast
1 reaction
