The U.S. steel industry in 2024 saw a continuation of protectionist trade policies, leading to shifting import patterns and rising production costs. While steel imports remain crucial to meeting domestic demand, manufacturers are being forced to reassess how they manage costs and maintain efficiency under tighter margins.
Recent data shows that the top exporters of steel to the U.S. were:
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Canada – 6.88 million tons
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Mexico – 4.18 million tons
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Brazil – 3.94 million tons
Interestingly, China—despite being the world’s largest steel producer—supplied just 508,000 net tons, amounting to only 1.8% of total U.S. steel imports. This sharp drop is the result of sustained tariffs and trade restrictions aimed at reducing America’s reliance on cheaper foreign steel.
The Cost of Protection: Tariffs and Their Ripple Effects
The increased tariffs have had a dual impact. On the one hand, they provide a cushion for U.S.-based steelmakers by limiting price competition from countries with lower labor and production costs. Domestic giants like Nucor, Cleveland-Cliffs, and U.S. Steel stand to benefit as buyers look inward for supply.
However, for downstream manufacturers—especially those producing machinery, auto parts, or structural components—the tariffs translate to higher raw material costs. This is especially concerning for companies that still rely on imported specialty steel or alloys not readily available in domestic markets.
Automation: The Competitive Differentiator
In this cost-sensitive environment, forward-thinking manufacturers are turning to automation to control operational expenses and unlock productivity.
A key area of transformation is Mill Test Report (MTR) processing. MTRs, which validate the quality and specifications of each metal shipment, are still handled manually by many organizations. This outdated practice not only slows down production but also increases the risk of errors, non-compliance, and labor costs.
Companies like Nucor Skyline have already automated their material certification workflows—achieving 84% gains in processing efficiency. Similarly, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries implemented document digitization across its fabrication lines, cutting manual processing time by more than half and accelerating customer deliveries.
Real-Life Example: Faster, Smarter Fabrication
Take the case of a Midwest-based industrial equipment manufacturer that handled over 3,000 MTRs per month manually. Each report took an average of 8-10 minutes to process and verify. After switching to an AI-driven document automation platform, they reduced processing time to under 1 minute per report, freed up two full-time employees for higher-value tasks, and shortened their order-to-delivery cycle by 12%.
That’s not just cost-saving—it’s a strategic edge.
Preparing for a New Normal
The global metal supply chain is entering a period of prolonged uncertainty. With tariff-driven inflation, fluctuating import volumes, and rising labor costs, automation is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s a necessity.
Whether it’s streamlining MTR workflows, automating purchase order validation, or reducing compliance burdens, manufacturers who adopt automation early will be better positioned to survive and thrive in this evolving landscape.
