Impact of Changing World Trade Patterns on the Supply and Demand of Automotive Metals — Iron and Steel 670120

A significant change in patterns of world trade in steel is taking place. In the 5 year period following World War II, a low level of 110 million metric tons in 1945 moved up to 150 million tons in 1950. During the 1956–1965 decade total exports of finished and semifinished steel to the world market rose 112%, from 27.6 to 58.4 million metric tons.

The United States has changed from the position of net exporter to that of net importer. In 1966, steel imports reached nearly 12 million tons. To meet this problem, the U.S. is striving to increase productivity, to establish new technological areas, and to improve some not so new.