Washington— The United States imported significantly less steel overall in 2025, but purchases from India surged sharply, signaling a notable shift in sourcing patterns.
New data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), based on final Census Bureau figures, show that total US steel imports fell 12.6 percent last year compared with 2024. Yet imports from India jumped more than 118 percent during the same period.
Overall Imports Down
In December 2025, the US imported 1,577,000 net tonnes of steel, including 1,160,000 net tonnes of finished steel. Compared with November, total imports declined 3.8 percent, while finished steel imports rose 6.9 percent.
For the full year, total steel imports stood at 25,241,000 net tonnes, down 12.6 percent year-on-year. Finished steel imports totaled 18,665,000 net tonnes, marking a sharper 17.1 percent decline from 2024 levels.
Finished steel’s import market share was estimated at 14 percent in December and 18 percent for all of 2025.
India Emerges as Fast-Growing Supplier
India stood out in an otherwise subdued year for global suppliers. The US imported 553,000 net tonnes of steel from India in 2025, an increase of 118.3 percent compared with 2024.
In December alone, Indian shipments reached 42,000 net tonnes, though that figure represented a 10.1 percent decline from November.
The surge underscores India’s expanding presence in the US steel market at a time when overall import volumes are shrinking.
Traditional Suppliers See Declines
Despite the shifts, Canada remained the largest steel supplier to the US in 2025, exporting 4,524,000 net tonnes — though that marked a steep 31 percent drop from 2024.
Brazil followed with 4,126,000 net tonnes, down 8 percent. Mexico shipped 2,823,000 net tonnes, a 19.7 percent decline, while South Korea supplied 2,662,000 net tonnes, down 5.3 percent. Germany was an exception among major exporters, shipping 1,128,000 net tonnes, up 5 percent year-on-year.
In December, Brazil led monthly shipments at 257,000 net tonnes, up 4.1 percent from November. Canada supplied 234,000 net tonnes, down 9 percent. South Korea shipped 167,000 net tonnes, up 1.3 percent, while Mexico sent 137,000 net tonnes, down 17.4 percent. Japan recorded 109,000 net tonnes, a sharp 52.6 percent month-on-month increase.
Product Categories Show Mixed Trends
While overall volumes declined in 2025, several product categories recorded strong gains.
In December, imports of reinforcing bars jumped 135 percent compared with November. Cut lengths of plates rose 68 percent, plates in coils increased 44.6 percent, hot-rolled bars were up 38.9 percent, and heavy structural shapes climbed 37.3 percent.
On an annual basis, tin plate imports rose 24.3 percent in 2025. Line pipe increased 18.5 percent, wire rods were up 13.2 percent, and oil country goods climbed 12.6 percent.
Strategic Industry
Steel remains central to infrastructure development, automobiles, construction, and energy systems. In recent years, US steel imports have been closely watched amid ongoing trade measures and supply chain realignments.
For India, the sharp rise in shipments highlights its growing competitiveness and expanding footprint in the American market — even as the overall US appetite for imported steel contracts.
