The United States imported 2.26 million short tons (2.05 million tonnes) of steel in July 2026, a 7.4% increase from the previous month, according to preliminary Census Bureau data.

Of that, finished steel imports stood at 1.56 million short tons, rising 6.3% month on month.

Year-to-date total steel imports fell 19.6% to 13.55 million short tons compared to the first seven months of 2025, while finished steel imports declined 22.1% year on year to 9.73 million short tons.

Several product categories posted sharp monthly increases in July. Wire rods surged 53.2%, followed by hot-rolled bars (51.7%), oil country goods (44.7%), and standard pipe (36.1%).

South Korea remained the largest supplier in July with 556,000 short tons, up 31.8% from June. Canada followed with 280,000 short tons (-4.7% MoM), Brazil with 253,000 short tons (+3.4%), and Mexico with 192,000 short tons (+0.3%).

Over the January-July period, South Korea led all suppliers with 2.41 million short tons, rising 35.1% year on year, while steel imports from second-ranked Canada declined 44.0% to 1.74 million short tons.