According to the report from the International Rebar Producers and Exporters Association (IREPAS), the global long steel products market is facing significant pressure, primarily due to rising Chinese exports that show no signs of slowing. The re-emergence of Trump’s policies has added further uncertainty and volatility, complicating the market outlook.

In the US, the long steel and construction sectors are in a holding pattern, awaiting clarity on government decisions. Infrastructure projects are stalled amid a freeze on spending, and high interest rates are delaying new developments and home purchases. Labor shortages in construction are contributing to project delays and increased costs.

In the EU, steel mills struggle with low demand and high production costs. Seasonal slowdowns, investor hesitancy, and surging energy prices have forced some producers, like Feralpi and Riva Germany, to shut down operations. Additionally, EU import quotas were quickly exhausted, limiting new imports and potentially driving up prices.

Global protectionist trends are further complicating the market, with mills reducing output due to displaced capacities from Chinese exports. Low profits are also hindering environmental targets, making the market outlook for the next quarter highly unstable and unpredictable.