search
Ask ACHR NEWS AI
cart
facebook twitter instagram linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • SHEET METAL
    • Fabrication
    • Workers
    • Machinery
    • Architectural Sheet Metal
    • Metal Roofing
  • OTHER TOPICS
    • Duct Sealing & Cleaning
    • Spiral Duct
    • Shop Layout
    • Steel Reports
  • EDUCATION
    • Columns
    • Apprenticeship Reviews >
      • Submit Review
    • Sheet Metal Unions Map
    • Sheet Metal History
    • History of SNIPS NEWS
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORY
  • MORE
    • Newsletter
    • eMagazine
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Quiz
    • SNIPS NEWS Store
    • Contractor of the Year
    • Sponsor Insights
  • SIGN UP
  • Back to The NEWS
SNIPS NEWSSheet Metal And HVAC Industry NewsSteel Reports

STEEL MARKET

What does new US-China trade deal mean?

By Chris Billman
February 8, 2020

Recently, President Trump signed “phase one” of the US-China trade deal. To put it lightly, the deal is a step toward de-escalation. Up until now, an increasingly volatile relationship between the two countries has induced a volatile trade market, affecting everything from steel market prices to farmed goods from U.S. farmers.

So what does this "phase one" trade deal actually mean for the US steel market?

Under the first half of the agreement, the U.S. agreed to cancel new tariffs on China that were set to take effect earlier this year. The White House will leave 25 percent duties on $250 billion in Chinese goods in place, and cut existing tariffs on another $120 billion in products to 7.5 percent.

“It’s got great stuff in it,” White House adviser Peter Navarro told CSNBC. “It’s got essentially the same chapter we had in the May deal that the Chinese walked away from on intellectual property theft. So that’s a good deal.”

As part of a boost to the US market, the “phase one” deal comes with an agreement from China to purchase an additional $200 billion in US goods over the next two years. The composition of that additional $200 billion is as follows:

  • Manufactured goods: $32.9 billion in 2020, $44.8 billion in 2021
  • Even a small increase in scrap exports from the US to China could push domestic scrap pricing higher.
  • Agriculture goods: $12.5 billion in 2020, $19.5 billion in 2021
  • Energy goods: $18.5 billion in 2020, $33.9 billion in 2021
  • Services: $12.8 billion in 2020, $25.1 billion in 2021

Below is a deeper dive into each majority industry. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

US China Trade Deal

While I am very interested in whose blood is getting shipped across the Pacific, I am more interested in what is included in iron and steel products. This may include scrap, which has gone from 3-4 million tons annually last decade, to virtually 0 tons in 2019.

US China scrap exports

Even a small increase in scrap exports from the US to China could push domestic scrap pricing higher. 

In another step towards de-escalation, China recently cut tariffs on $75 billion worth of US goods, affecting US goods that China imposed tariffs on last September. As the relationship continues to improve and "phase one" of the trade agreement runs its course, the market will decide if the trade war is really over. 

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

 

Billman
Chris Billman is the market researcher manager at Majestic Steel.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • HVAC-enrollment

    The Trades Are Back: HVACR Programs See Nearly 30% Enrollment Spike

    A new wave of future technicians is entering the pipeline.  
    Training and Education
    By: Matt Jachman
  • 2025 Top 40 Under 40

    2025 Top 40 Under 40 HVACR Professionals List

    The 11th annual Top 40 Under 40 list highlights those...
    HVAC Commercial Market
    By: Hannah Belloli-Oster
  • LG Ductless Mini-Split Systems

    The 9 Types of Heat Pumps

    As the U.S. moves toward electrification, heat pumps are...
    HVAC Commercial Market
    By: Joanna R. Turpin

More Videos

SNIPS NEWS Buyers Guide
Explore Carlisle HVAC Insights

Related Articles

  • What Does a Safety Culture Mean in Your Company?

    See More
  • What Does HVAC Mean to You?

    See More
  • What Does the EPA’s Clean Power Plan Mean to HVACR?

    See More
×

Sign Up. Stay Informed.

The #1 trusted source for the HVACR industry since 1926

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Advisory Board
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Letter
    • Directories
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing