Total steel imports by the US increased by 7.1pc to 11.78mn nt (10.68 mn mt) in January-May over the same period last year, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Finished steel imports during the five-month period increased by 8.8pc to 7.97mn nt compared to January-May 2020.
In May, total and finished steel imports also increased by 28.4pc and 18.5pc to 28.3mn nt and 19.1mn nt, respectively, on an annual basis. However total steel imports in May fell by 4.8pc from the previous month while finished steel imports climbed by 11.3pc during the same period.
Citing preliminary Census Bureau data, AISI noted that in January-May the import of hot-rolled sheets grew most significantly, up 42pc, followed by metallic coated sheets and strips and cut length plates both up 30pc, plates in coils at 28pc increases, tin plate up 17pc, wire drawn at 16pc and hot-dipped galvanized sheets and strip imports rising by 12pc annually.
The import of tin plate saw the highest growth last month compared to April, rising by 240pc, followed by wire rods that were up 57pc, cold-rolled sheets at 47pc, and hot-dipped galvanized sheets and strip up 24pc.