US steel imports declined in July compared to June by 4.5 percent according to preliminary government data.'''Imports from Canada and semifinished imports declined in July compared to June reflecting weakening conditions in July as prices softened in response to steel market supply/demand conditions as some shuttered and new mills began ramping up production and general concerns about the health of the overall economy,' said David Phelps, president, AIIS. 

For the year to date period imports remain 21.9 percent above the seven month 2010 period. 'While there are reasons to be concerned about the direction of the overall economy for the remainder of 2011, the improvement in market conditions in 2011 compared to 2010 continue in important steel markets, such as oil and gas, pipelines, heavy equipment and autos. Underlying economic factors seem to continue to suggest that demand in those sectors will sustain the steel market at these modestly improved levels from the much weaker 2010,' concluded Phelps.

Total Steel imports in'July'2011 were 2.583'million tons compared to 2.706'million'tons in June 2011, a 4.5 percent decrease, and a 6.5'percent increase compared to June'2010. According to year-to-date figures, imports increased 21.9 percent compared to 2010 or from 14.131'million tons in 2010 to 17.228 million tons in 2011. The data show that imported semifinished products decreased by 15.3'percent in July'2011 compared to July'2010. For the year-to-date period, semifinished imports increased from 3,136 million tons in 2010 to 4,077 million tons in 2011, a 30% percent increase based on preliminary reporting.