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The back story of America's loss of dominance in steel production

Feb 11, 2025
The U.S. was the globe's No. 4 steel producer in 2023, but China rules the market. Will new tariffs on foreign steel change the equation?
In the U.S., steel production hasn't grown much and industry employment has shrunk significantly, partly due to technology.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
An iron ore mine near Kathu, South Africa. With 70% of global demand for iron ore coming from China, prices are partially dictated by the Chinese property market.
Emmanuel Croset/AFP via Getty Images

Postcard from a Japanese steel town

Aug 1, 2018
The city of Kamaishi is the birthplace of the modern Japanese steel industry, but that hasn't shielded it from change.
The Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal plant in Kamaishi, Japan.
Adrian Ma/Marketplace