Are you buying now because you anticipate higher prices?

[Noske]

Some facts and perspective from the Motley Fool, written on March 10 2025 -

China produces about 900 million tonnes of steel a year.

China was responsible for about 1.8% (less than two percent) of steel imports into the USA in 2024. That is less than half a million metric tons. Pfft.

In the meantime, however, I am sure that the half a dozen or so countries who are major steel exporters to the USA are taking notes. Think.

 

[Travis]

I takes years to set up a new factory capable of producing in volume and quality.

Hell it took us months to set up a new line in an existing factory - and that was for peanuts volumes compared to what apple needs.

Apple didn’t need to set up new factories. They have had two factories set up in India for quite awhile (when Tariffs started in earnest 6 to 8 years ago). They air freighted 2 billion in phones from India to US at end of March right before the 4/1 tariffs were to go in effect. Then they got themselves a full exemption from tariffs for smart phones. They say the major expansion on the plants in India that are underway will be completed by end of 2026. The capacity will all 100% of production to move to India. Production costs are 6 to 10% higher for phones in India than China.

Total guess, but the deal to get the exemption probably involved assurances by Apple they would move out of China. I’m also guessing that Apple will maintain production capacity in China and will shift production between India China based on costs, existence of tarrifs and the amount in each country.

In the mean time they have assembly plants in Vietnam to finish and package phones in the event they start to mess with their smart phone exemption before they are up to full capacity in India.

Fun times.

 

[Travis]

Some facts and perspective from the Motley Fool, written on March 10 2025 -

China produces about 900 million tonnes of steel a year.

China was responsible for about 1.8% (less than two percent) of steel imports into the USA in 2024. That is less than half a million metric tons. Pfft.

In the meantime, however, I am sure that the half a dozen or so countries who are major steel exporters to the USA are taking notes. Think.

Historically, the top three steel exporters to US are Canada, Brazil and Mexico. I think we produce about 75% in US, and import a quarter. Interesting to see how that’s going to shake out. There was an article yesterday about a UK stainless steel maker that was saved by the trade agreement with US last week.

Aluminum is reverse that, we bring in 75% produce a quarter.

 

[Titurel]

Some facts and perspective from the Motley Fool, written on March 10 2025 -

China produces about 900 million tonnes of steel a year.

China was responsible for about 1.8% (less than two percent) of steel imports into the USA in 2024. That is less than half a million metric tons. Pfft.

Is that import figure just billets and other "raw" steel or does it include finished goods, including large steel products like port derricks and bridge sections? Does it also include trans-shipped raw steel and finished steel goods?

 

[xanalog]

[time stamp: most current data from wsj]

 

[PristineSound]

News outlets are comparing the decline of port shipments to COVID level.

Zero ships from China are bound for California’s top ports. Officials haven’t seen that since the pandemic | CNN Business

On Friday morning, West Coast port officials told CNN about a startling sight: Not a single cargo vessel had left China with goods for the two major West Coast ports in the past 12 hours. That hasn’t happened since the pandemic.

amp.cnn.com

 

[xanalog]

Even the skewed figures are testimony to how quickly they ended-up the figurative "Breadbasket of the World"?

 

[Noske]

Is that import figure just billets and other "raw" steel or does it include finished goods, including large steel products like port derricks and bridge sections? Does it also include trans-shipped raw steel and finished steel goods?

Read the provided article that I linked to. I am not your research assistant.

Properly, as if you were going to be tested on your basic research skills at college. Then share what you found there with the forum.

I do not apologise for getting a little cranky at demonstrable laziness.

 

[Titurel]

Responding to Noske

I just did read the article and, quite predictably, it does not contain an answer to the questions I posed. There was this...

"However, on March 12, a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports and derivative products is expected to be implemented."

(emboldening mine) Which suggests to this ancient researcher, that the real story might be buried well below the click bait. Going forward, the numbers might well include the steel weight in derivative products but there is nothing I saw to suggest that the present data sets do. Plus there is plenty of space in the grey parts of the charts to hide a great deal of trans-shipped product, of which there is no mention.

BTW, I had a key to the locked collections probably long before you were born.

 

[Somafunk]

Read the provided article that I linked to. I am not your research assistant.

Properly, as if you were going to be tested on your basic research skills at college. Then share what you found there with the forum.

I do not apologise for getting a little cranky at demonstrable laziness.

 

[Groove01]

Not sure I agree appliances didn't go up during Trump 1.0. I found washer and dryer prices were up several hundred each after tariffs hit and I needed a new washer.

If you think companies can easily cover tariff costs you would be wrong. Even Buckeye raised prices on a simple 10% tariff. Imagine what happens with larger tariffs. The myth is companies can cover the cost. It's BS. They might try to hold the line for a short period but soon all costs are passed on to the customer plus more no matter who the company is.

You may want to re-read my post..as I was speaking specifically of China and industrial strategies at a national scale.

There are many articles in the supply chain and trade journals about this specifically and how China absorbed the vast majority of the tarrifs where they wanted to maintain mkt share during that period. Feel free to do the research to confirm.

If you bought an imported washer (LG, Samsung), than you may have paid more.

I said China absorbed tariffs on things like steel, etc., where they want to maintain share. My company at the time bought thousands of appliances from US manufacturers annually and our pricing did not increase. My team negotiated the contracts and I met with manufacturers directly many times to understand how they were dealing with the tariffs and their mitigation strategies.

China absorbed the vast majority of the tariff on steel, as it relates to U.S. appliance manufacturers, therefore minimally impacting prices of those appliances.

 

[JeffS7444]

It's a pity I could not purchase this $329, 6-slot, M.2 SSD NAS pre-tax. Until very recently, it seemed to me that an all-SSD NAS was simply too expensive, or too unfinished.

 

[Mort]

This is the most boring thing i ever read about music

How the fuck can you be that poor?

I spent more on lunch.

I'm gonna assume you are trying to be funny?

 

[Nih Noh]

I'm gonna assume you are trying to be funny?

No, I just think that that amount is inconsequential

 

[Mort]

No, I just think that that amount is inconsequential

I think you won't be around here long.

 

[Nih Noh]

No, I just think that that amount is inconsequential

Coming to face to face with actual poor people

I grew up poor. like a dog. i worked hard. got over it

 

[Somafunk]

Coming to face to face with actual poor people

I grew up poor. like a dog. i worked hard. got over it

Sounds like you bent over for your wealth and took it like a champ

I currently have £376 in the bank, till my next disability payment in a fortnight.

How's your health?

 

[Nih Noh]

I think you won't be around here long.

if it's up to you iw ont' be around long.

Sounds like you bent over for your wealth and took it like a champ

I currently have £376 in the bank, till my next disability payment in a fortnight.

How's your health?

It's most important to be healthy. I ride about 45 miles on my bicycle every week.

I also have e healthy financial situation. I first bought bitcoin at $150 in 2013.

 

[Somafunk]

It's most important to be healthy. I ride about 45 miles on my bicycle every week.

I used to do over 600 miles a week in season (sponsored rider) but SPMS hit me, so however healthy you may consider yourself to be now, it can all be taken away in an instant.

 

[Nih Noh]

I used to do over 600 miles a week in season (sponsored rider) but SPMS hit me, so however healthy you may consider yourself to be now, it can all be taken away in an instant.

You were next level. Why do you say it can be taken away in an instant?