The strong market conditions for steel producers that marked the end of 2020 will soon run headlong into new and returning capacity.

Service center executives, economists and others talk about demand, pricing challenges in the current steel market at Steel Market Update’s Steel Summit in Atlanta.

If you are mystified by today’s steel prices, you are not alone.

Tariff talk dominated the steel market in 2018. How will trade policy and other issues affect the market for the steel supply chain over the next 12 months?

While the healthy market of 2017 will stretch into next year, growth will start to lag in the second half in advance of a mild downturn in 2019, said Economist Alan Beaulieu at the Steel Market Update Steel Summit in Atlanta.

Optimism over the improving economy, growing steel demand and pro-business administration was widespread at the Platts Steel Markets North America Conference last month in Chicago.

The new presidential administration and its position on trade deals, tax policy and infrastructure was a frequent topic at the 13th Platts Steel Markets North America Conference this week in Chicago.