Steel Prices, Tariffs, and What It All Means for the Rest of Us

Steel Prices, Tariffs, and What It All Means for the Rest of Us

Tariffs might sound like politics, but for a lot of us, they show up as smaller margins and that affect our bids. The work stays the same, but what you pay for at the yard doesn’t.

If you work with steel / metal, you’ve probably already heard talk about price hikes coming down the line. That talk’s real, and it’s tied to a proposed increase in tariffs on imported steel. The kind of change that doesn’t just show up in headlines, it shows up in your next quote at the yard. And if it goes through like they say, it could hit a lot harder than the last time.

Back in 2018, the U.S. threw a 25% tariff on foreign steel. The idea was to help American steelmakers compete with cheaper steel coming in from overseas. Prices went up not long after. It wasn’t a crazy jump overnight, but it was enough to notice. Yard prices climbed by about 5% to 10% depending on what you were buying. It put pressure on people in fabrication, construction, auto repair, and anyone else trying to keep their costs in check while still delivering work.

Now, in 2025, they’re talking about doubling that tariff, raising it from 25% to 50%. What that means is simple: metal could get real expensive, real fast. 

If 25% pushed prices up by 10%, 50% could bring a 15% to 20% increase, maybe more depending on what’s available and who you’re buying from at the checkout. And it’s not just about the price of metal, it’s about what that metal turns into: brackets, handrails, beams, knives. Anything you forge, cut, weld, or bolt together might start costing more to make, and that can change how you price your work or if a job is even worth it.


So why are we even in this position?

It goes back to how steel production shifted in the early 2000s. China made a hard play for steel dominance. They built mills like crazy, invested billions, and flooded the global market with steel at prices American mills couldn’t touch. In just a few years, they went from a growing producer to the largest in the world. Today, China makes over half the world’s steel, while the U.S. barely cracks 5%. Our mills slowed down or shut down, and our domestic supply just couldn’t keep up with cheaper imports.

But American steel isn’t gone, it’s just leaner than it used to be. Some mills are firing back up with new tech and cleaner processes. There’s talk about building smarter and producing less waste. Big names are still investing here. For example, Nippon Steel from Japan -ironic right- is bidding to put billions into U.S. Steel recently, with a promise to keep the operations on American soil. Whether it’s political pressure, infrastructure contracts, or people simply wanting “Made in the USA” again, there’s growing demand for real American steel.

What does all this mean for those of us buyin metal? It means prices might go up. Jobs might take longer. So whether you’re forging gates, fabricating custom builds, or just picking up angle iron for a project, don’t be surprised if the numbers start climbing or yards are looking a little slim.


TL;DR – Steel Tariffs & What They Mean for Us

  • Steel prices are expected to rise due to a proposed 50% tariff on imported steel. Double the 25% tariff set in 2018.

  • In 2018, prices jumped 5–10% after the 25% tariff. A 50% tariff could raise prices by 15–20% or more depending on the product and region.

  • China dominates steel production, making over 50% of the world’s supply, while U.S. production sits below 5%.

  • American mills have slowed, but there’s renewed interest in bringing back domestic steel, driven by infrastructure projects and “Buy American” sentiment.

  • Japan’s Nippon Steel recently invested in U.S. Steel, promising to keep operations in the U.S.

  • If you work with steel, fabrication, forging, welding—expect material costs to climb. Plan ahead.

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