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Carbon steel is steel made of iron and carbon with some other ingredients such as manganese, silicon, phosphorus,... Let's delve deeper into the characteristics, applications, and important aspects of this type of steel with MRS Steel.Carbon steel is among the top 4 most popular types of steel, used in many fields such as industry, manufacturing, civil use,... because of its flexibility and hardness.The more carbon in the steel, the higher the hardness and durability of the steel, in which carbon steel components can contain up to 2.1 wt.% carbon. The relatively low production cost of carbon steel makes it more preferred over other types of steel. Below, MRS Steel will explore with you the pros and corn, production methods and applications of carbon steel.Carbon steel is steel made of carbon along with other elementsWhat are the different types of carbon steel?Carbon steel is categorized into three types based on its carbon content:Low carbon steelLow carbon steel has a carbon ratio of 0.04 - 0.25% or 0.29% with small amounts of other elements. Therefore, steel has low hardness and durability, so it is also called mild steel. However, they exhibit good ductility and can be easily shaped by pressing or bending, even when cold-formed.Medium carbon steelMedium carbon steels with average carbon content (0.25 - 0.5%), providing good corrosion resistance and high durability. Medium carbon steel has good heat treatment and cutting performance but poor welding performance, requiring preheating in welding. This type of steel is mainly used in high-strength moving parts such as air compressors, pump pistons, turbine blades, gears, crankshafts, rollers,...High carbon steelThanks to the carbon content of 0.6 - 2%, high carbon steel has good bearing capacity and high durability. The hardness of this steel can be up to 60 - 65 HRC according to Rockwell C. High carbon steel is mainly used in the production of springs, wear parts and high-hardness tools.Each type of carbon steel exhibits unique properties and applicationsWhat is carbon steel made ofCarbon steel is primarily made up of iron and carbon, combined with a number of other ingredients such as manganese, silicon, phosphorus,... In which, the carbon content determines the mechanical properties and durability of the steel. If the amount of carbon is low, the plasticity is high, convenient for shaping, bending and vice versa. However, the hardness and brittleness of the product depends on the metallurgy and heat treatment process. The carbon ratio can range from 0.02 - 2.1% depending on the amount of steel but the common ratio is 0.1 - 0.3%.Pros and cons of carbon steelAdvantagesEach carbon steel type has unique mechanical properties when undergoing metallurgy and heat treatment. Manufacturers can adjust technical parameters to create outstanding advantages for carbon steels as follows:High durability and hardness: High carbon content enhances the steel's bearing capacity and resists environmental impacts.Corrosion resistance: Carbon steel has extremely good corrosion resistance, so it is often used in the chemical, petroleum and marine industries.Good bending and melting ability: The amount of carbon can be easily customized to help the steel have flexibility for shaping, which is crucial in manufacturing and construction processes.DisadvantagesCarbon steel still have some disadvantages such as:Easy to rust: Manufacturers often add about 10-12% chromium to the composition, which acts as a moisture-proof layer to help limit rust when exposed to the environment.Poor aesthetics: Carbon steel lacks the smooth, shiny surface like stainless steel. Therefore, they are often applied to products that do not require high aesthetics such as pipes, machinery, spare parts,...Carbon steel strength helps it be applied in many areas of lifeHow is carbon steel madeCarbon steel can be produced from iron ore, scrap steel or a combination of both without losing its properties and strength. By heating iron ore and coke in the absence of air at a temperature of about 1650 degrees Celsius, the molten iron is enriched in carbon from the burning coke. The remaining impurities combine with lime to form slag, which floats on the metal surface to be removed. The product initially contains approximately 4% carbon, which is then decarbonized to reduce it to the desired level. Decarbonization occurs by passing oxygen through the melt forming monoxide and carbon dioxide.Applications of carbon steelsPossessing many outstanding properties, carbon steel is a material widely used in many different industries, typically:Road and bridge construction: Carbon steel has good corrosion resistance and high durability, suitable for building infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, tunnels,...Automobile industry: Carbon steel is an ideal material for car parts such as vehicle frames, wings, hoods, exhaust pipes,... because of its high hardness, lightness and durable structure that helps reduce weight and increase space efficiency for vehicles.Aerospace industry: With its lightweight properties and outstanding mechanical strength, carbon steel is used in the production of aircraft components, spacecraft bodies and rockets.Oil and gas industry: Carbon steels are used to produce equipment and oil pipes thanks to its good bearing capacity. This will ensure the safety and performance of pipeline systems under the harsh conditions of the oil and gas industry.Manufacturing and machinery industry: Carbon steel has ductility and flexible shaping, so it is suitable for processing and producing machine parts such as shafts, bearings, gears,...Carbon steel's resilience makes it ideal for infrastructure, vehicles, and machineryImport the best quality Vietnamese carbon steel at MRS SteelAccording to Worldsteel, Vietnam ranked 12th in the world in crude steel output with 19 million tons in 2023 and belongs to the group of steel exporting countries with a turnover of over 10 billion USD. Vietnam is increasingly enhancing its position in the steel export sector. This has opened up many opportunities for steel importers to have more quality supply at good prices.Although Vietnam always creates conditions to promote international trade exchange, many complex policies, regulations and procedures can make it difficult for importers. MRS Steel is a unit sourcing and supporting the import of Vietnamese steel to the United States, Australia, Mexico, Europe, Belgium, Malaysia, Indonesia,...The network connecting the largest steel manufacturers in Vietnam, understanding the customs clearance process and handling incidents, problems,... are advantages that help MRS Steel satisfy 100% of customers throughout 12 years of operation. We always strive to bring satisfaction to importers through optimizing purchasing costs, time and effort.Carbon steel are an important material with high applicability in life. Therefore, choosing the correct type of steel suitable for the project greatly contributes to the effectiveness of the project. If you have any questions or need to import reputable Vietnamese carbon steel, please contact MRS Steel for the best support!

Stainless steel is a material with extremely good corrosion and rust resistance and high aesthetics, widely used in many fields of medicine, interior design and high-end construction. According to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF), it is predicted that stainless steel consumption will increase by 3.6% by 2024. So which leading stainless steel manufacturers in the world will contribute to this growth? Let’s read the article about the top 10 largest stainless steel manufacturers in the world below.Baosteel Group, ChinaBaosteel Group is a state-owned steel and iron manufacturing company launched in 2016 after merging with Weihan Iron and Steel Group. Baowu China is the largest steel producer in China and the world with a total output of 119.95 million tons in 2021. Baowu aims to produce 200 million tons of crude steel by 2050 and expand its stainless steel market share by acquiring foreign steel companies. The company produces 03 main types of steel: carbon steel, stainless steel and special steel, exporting to approximately 40 countries in regions including Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.POSCO, South KoreaPOSCO Group is a Korean global stainless steel company, achieving first place in the World Steel Association's competitiveness assessment for 11 consecutive years. Currently, POSCO is operating two integrated steel plants in Korea, located in Pohang and Gwangyang with an annual production capacity of 42 million tons steel. In 2022, POSCO produced nearly 1.5 million tons of stainless steel for application in many fields such as automobile manufacturing, electronic equipment, construction materials,... In Vietnam, POSCO had a joint venture with the Yamato Group, forming POSCO YAMATO VINA STEEL (PY VINA), known as the No. 1 cold-rolled steel and stainless steel manufacturer in Vietnam. POSCO is operating a steel factory in Ba Ria - Vung Tau with an annual production capacity of 1 million tons and 500,000 tons shaped steel.Outokumpu, FinlandOutokumpu Oyj is the largest stainless steel manufacturing company in Europe and the second in the Americas, headquartered in Finland and operating in more than 40 countries around the world. As the world's leading stainless steel brand, Outokumpu's products meet the requirements of many different industries and strict quality standards.Outokumpu is also the only stainless steel manufacturer with a fully integrated production line. In 2023, global stainless steel plate production capacity reached 72.6 million tons, up 1% over the same period. Outokumpu aims to produce sustainable stainless steel with 90% of products originating from recycled steel, reducing carbon emissions by 75% compared to conventional steel.AK Steel, USAAK Steel Corporation, founded in 1899, has continuously developed the latest technology to lead in the stainless steel industry. After more than 100 years of operation, AK Steel has always been a reliable supplier of high quality stainless steel products. Currently, AK Steel operates 08 steel mills and 02 pipe factories across the United States. In 2019, AK Steel won the title of GM Supplier of the Year for Non Fabricated Steel by General MotorsNippon Steel Corporation, JapanNippon Steel Corporation (NSC) is the largest Japanese steel manufacturer, headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. With more than 16 steel factories in Japan and a series of branches in more than 15 countries, NSC produces and supplies a variety of steel types, especially high quality stainless steel. Not only has strength in stainless steel production, Nippon Steel was also the largest crude steel producer in Japan and the 4th largest in the world by 2022. In 2023, Nippon acquired one of the first steel corporations of the United States - US Steel. This will increase Nippon Steel's crude steel production capacity to 100 million tons, strengthening its position in the global steel industry.Tata Steel, IndiaTata steel is an Indian multinational steel manufacturing company headquartered in Mumbai. According to the World Steel Association, Tata has entered the top 10 largest steel producing countries in the world with a capacity of 30.59 million tons. Tata Steel aims to reach a production capacity of 40 million tons of steel by 2030.Aperam, LuxembourgAperam is a global stainless steel producer with a capacity of 2.5 million tons of flat stainless steel in Europe and Brazil. In 2022, Aperam achieved revenue of 5,102 million EUR and exported 1.82 million tons. Currently, Aperam is headquartered in Luxembourg, operates 6 production facilities located in Brazil, Belgium and France, 15 steel service centers and 15 sales offices globally. After acquiring ELG in December 2021, the company also became a major recycler of high-performance alloys and stainless steel scrap with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons. The company generated revenue of $5.121 billion in 2021.Guangxi chengde Group, ChinaGuangxi Chengde Group is a joint venture by Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group and Guangdong Foshan Chengde Special Steel Co., Ltd. Guangxi Chengde. They have an annual production capacity of 1.6 million tons of nickel-chromium alloy steel bills, 3 million tons of nickel-chromium alloy hot-rolled strips and 1.2 million tons of strips. Guangxi Chengde Group owns China's largest alloy smelting procedure, leading in stainless steel production techniques, especially plates and stripes.JFE Steel, JapanJFE Steel Corporation was established in 2002 through the merger of Kawasaki Steel and Nihon Kokan. JFE Steel is the 2nd largest steel producer in Japan and the only stainless steel producer in the world specializing in ferritic and martensitic stainless steels. JFE Steel Group produces approximately 350,000 tons of thin stainless steel per year, specializing in providing the best quality stainless steel products to consumers globally.Acerinox, SpainAcerinox, founded in 1970, is Spain's largest stainless steel producer with a smelting plant with a capacity of 3.5 million tons. Acerinox's production network includes 13 factories, including 6 stainless steel factories. In March 2020, Acerinox acquired VDM Metals for $534 million. VDM Metals specializes in the production and development of special alloys and high-performance stainless steels and is recognized as the R+D+I standard in the industry.Hopefully MRS Steel's article on the top 10 largest stainless steel manufacturers in the world has helped you update the latest global steel news. If you have any questions or need to import high quality Vietnamese steel at good prices, please contact MRS Steel for the best advice!

As a country with a developed steel industry providing more than 50% of global steel output, however, China is now massively exporting steel, causing concerns about global oversupply. The main reason comes from the weakening of the real estate market, which causes the country's domestic consumption to decline. Join MRS Steel to learn more through the article below!China's steel industry boosts exportsAccording to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics, in the first 2 months of 2024, China exported nearly 16 million tons of steel, an increase of 32.6% over the same period last year. This is also considered the highest steel export level of the Chinese steel industry from 2016 until now.According to Nikkei Asia, China's steel exports this year will equal or exceed last year's level, as China is on track to export about 90 million tons of steel and closer to 110 million tons in 2015, when it will witness an increase in anti-dumping measures around the world. This shows that the Chinese government is gradually stimulating the country's economic recovery.China just reported its highest steel export figures in eight yearsCurrently, China provides about 55% of the world's steel output. Therefore, even a small increase in exports can lead to downward pressure on prices in world markets. Therefore, the Chinese steel industry's promotion of exports has affected the steel industries of other countries, especially Southeast Asian countries, which are China's main export markets. In September 2023, the country's steel exports to Thailand increased by about 60% year-on-year, with exports to Malaysia increasing by about 80%. The amount of steel exported to Indonesia doubled and to Vietnam more than quadrupled.Pressure for Vietnam's steel industryA large amount of imported steel from China continuously floods the Vietnamese market, causing great pressure on the domestic steel industry. In just the first 2 months of 2024, the amount of steel imported from China reached 1.8 million tons, of which Vietnam's HRC alone imported from China reached 1.4 million tons, accounting for 74.2% of the total amount of HRC imported in the first 2 months of 2024.The reality of China's steel imports increasing sharply in the context of Vietnam enjoying an import and export tax of 0%. Trade defense measures have been lifted; other steel products, such as galvanized steel sheets, color steel sheets, steel pipes, prestressed steel,... are not subject to any trade defense measures. Facing pressure from imported steel, since 2023, the Vietnam Steel Association has made recommendations to the government to strictly control the import of steel products into the Vietnamese market.Chinese steel exports a lot, causing pressure on Vietnamese steelAs China increases steel exports, the country is turning to high-value-added products, putting pressure on domestic steel producers such as Hoa Phat, Hoa Sen, Ton Dong A,... Once again, Vietnam's steel industry faces a big challenge when it has to compete with cheap steel sources from China. This raises a warning bell for Vietnam's steel industry to have appropriate policies to ensure its development. development of domestic steel enterprises.Above is the information that MRS Steel sends to you about the problem of the world steel industry having excess supply because the leading country in steel production, China, is promoting exports. With China promoting exports, it not only affects Vietnam's steel industry but also the steel industry of other countries.

In the context of inflation and global economic recession, the world's largest mining company BHP (Australia) still has uncertainty about the prospects of the steel industry due to the factor of China - the world’s largest steel producer. Below are the top 7 main reasons that make it difficult for BHP to predict the global steel market in 2024.1. High steel production and exports from China and India in 20232023 was the fifth consecutive year that China recorded crude steel output above 1 billion tons thanks to sustainable demand from non-residential. Chinese steel industry has seen strong growth in net exports with total turnover reaching its highest level in the past 7 years. Exports rose to 98 million tons in 2023, the highest since 2016.The Indian steel industry in 2023 also marked significant growth with crude steel output reaching 140 million tons, an increase of 12% compared to 2022. The Indian steel market was considered the only bright spot on the Asian steel map in 2023 amid weak demand and persistent oversupply in the region.2. Strong blast furnace usage rate in ChinaChina's blast furnace (BF) utilization rate averaged 88% in the first half of 2023 and 90% in the second 6 months, reaching 89.1% for the whole year. BHP explained the reason for the high BF rate is because:Production at electric arc furnaces (EAF) is limited due to lack of competitiveness, weak demand for construction steel, reduced scrap availability and loss of profits.Abundant steel supply in the global export marketActivity of the flat steel industry in 2023 was relatively stable with demand increasing by 2% compared to 2022, of which the second half of 2023 increased by 3.2% y/y.3. Low real profits of Chinese steel manufacturers The profit margin of steel mills in 2023 was still very low. BPH estimated margins for BF-BFO furnaces to average around $7/ton in 2022 but fell to -$6/ton in 2023.4. Stable China's steel output forecast in 2024 BHP's preliminary estimate of China's crude steel production in 2024 is in the range of 1-1.1 billion tons. However, output could still be affected by possible mandatory production cuts in China. Overall, up to now, BHP still does not have solid data on the outlook for Chinese crude steel output in 2024.5. Decline China's steel exports in 2024 BHP predicts China's net steel exports in 2024 will decrease compared to 2023 at more than 87 million tons. The reason is that Beijing aims to limit steel production, but it is unlikely to fall below 54 million tons due to China's price advantage in the global steel market.6. Uneven demand of the end-user sector in China BHP weighs in on the outlook for end-user demand for steel in China in 2024, including the pace of development, scale and structure of the housing construction recovery as well as the ratio of steel usage per unit of GDP. Currently, BHP predicts real GDP will increase from 4.5 - 5%, after growth of 5.2% in 2023. The fields of housing, infrastructure, machinery and equipment manufacturing, automobiles and construction ships, consumer goods,... continue to decline.7. China to enhance steel reservesIn the long term, BHP believes that China will increase its accumulated steel inventory by 1.5 - 1.75 times when the urbanization rate reaches about 80%. The Australian mining firm also expects China to improve living standards similar to those of countries currently on the edge of the high-income bracket by mid-century.Above is the latest news about predicting the world steel situation in 2024. Don't forget to follow and read more useful articles on the topic of Vietnamese and global steel at MRS Steel!

Currently, Korea is the world's 6th largest steel producer, with total output in 2022 reaching 65.9 million tons. To create a strong steel industry like today, a lot of contributions from steel manufacturing enterprises are needed. In the article below, we invite you to join MRS Steel to learn about the top 5 leading steel mills in Korea.POSCOPosco currently operates two integrated steel mills in Korea, in the cities of Pohang and Gwangyang. In addition, Posco also has joint venture activities with U.S. Steel Corporation, which has the aircraft carrier USS-POSCO located in Pittsburg, California, United States. In addition to iron and steel production, Posco is also present in the field of building design and construction.Besides, Posco also expanded its business activities in other countries, including Vietnam, China, India, Mexico, and Australia. In Vietnam, Posco Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to the POSCO Group with a steel mill in Phu My II industrial park, Tan Thanh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and is also one of the largest steel manufacturing factories in Vietnam. Hyundai Steel Co., LtdHyundai Steel is a multinational steel mill with headquarters located in Incheon and Seoul, South Korea, a subsidiary of the Hyundai Group. Founded in 1953, it is currently Korea's oldest and largest steel manufacturer. In addition, Hyundai Steel is also the second-largest steel producer using EAF electric arc furnace technology in the world.Hyundai is a steel mill that produces a variety of products, from H-beam steel, rails and rebar to hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel and stainless steel cold-rolled sheets. Currently, Hyundai Steel operates six main manufacturing complexes, respectively, in Incheon, Dangjin, Pohang, Suncheon, Ulsan (Korea), and Tianjin (China).Dongkuk SteelEstablished in 1954, Dongkuk Steel was the first private steel mill in Korea, laying the foundation for the national steel industry. Based on the patriotic philosophy of steel, Dongkuk Steel has contributed to the economic and industrial development of Korea with the best steel products to this day.The production output of Dongkuk Steel steel mills is about 8.1 billion tons (according to 2021 data). The group's products are mainly used in construction industry applications and are partly exported. Currently, Dongkuk Steel specializes in distributing and manufacturing steel products, including steel plates, shaped steel, and reinforcing bars, in addition to providing products according to customer needs with a full range of colors and patterns.Currently, Dongkuk Steel has representative offices in several countries around the world. In Vietnam, Dongkuk Steel has established a steel mill called Vietnam Steel Service Center (VSSC), located in Phu My 2 Industrial Park, Ba Ria Vung Tau province. The factory invested in by Dongkuk Steel was completed in December 2021 and will begin full operation in the second quarter of 2022.Daehan Steel Daehan Steel, one of the major steel mills in Korea, started from a small hardware store in Busan in 1954. It started producing steel products to serve domestic needs and then exported them to Australia and Singapore. Daehan Steel also hopes to establish a rebar production system with a network covering all of Asia.In 2010, Daehan Steel launched a new brand called Staz, meaning "Steel Solution from A to Z,"  to analyze needs and provide optimal solutions to customers. The Staz solution has received positive feedback from construction sites despite the continued downturn in the construction industry and has helped the company rise to become Korea's third-largest steel company.Thanks to an effective business strategy, Daehan Steel continues to expand its scale of operations in the Asian market. In 2013, Daehan Steel had a steel mill in Vietnam, located in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park, Ben Cat Town, Binh Duong Province.SeAH SteelSeAH Steel is a subsidiary of SeAH Steel Holdings after its transformation into two separate entities in 2018. Founded as a steel mill in 1960 by Lee Jong-Deok as Steel Pipe Industry Corporation Pusan. SeAH Steel is the largest steel pipe manufacturer in Korea, and its main products include steel pipes, titanium pipes, stainless steel pipes, and color galvanized steel sheets. Currently, SeAH has four steel mills in Korea, located in Pohang, Gunsan, Suncheon and Changwon.In 1995, SeAH entered into a joint venture with a Vietnamese company to establish Saigon Steel Pipe Joint Venture Company. However, since October 16, 2006, it has officially transformed into a 100% foreign-invested limited liability company with the trading name SeAH Steel Vina Corporation. Currently, in the Vietnamese market, SeAH has 2 steel mills located in Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park and Nhon Trach Industrial Park in Dong Nai province.MRS Steel has provided you with information about the top 5 large steel mills in Korea. Please look forward to our next articles. If you have any questions, please contact us for answers. 

According to the World Steel Association (WorldSteel), in 2023, global crude steel production reached 1,888 million tons, with Vietnam contributing 19 million tons to this figure. Despite a 5% decrease in crude steel production compared to 2022, Vietnam's notable achievement is an upward shift in its ranking, reaching 12th place globally among the 71 countries listed.Vietnam's crude steel production decreased by 5% but climbed one position in the rankingsIn 2023, Vietnam achieved a notable milestone as its crude steel production surpassed that of Taiwan, securing the 12th position in the global rankings. This highlights a positive outlook for steel demand in Vietnam, despite the ongoing incomplete recovery of the domestic real estate market. Additionally, leveraging political advantages, countries in the Middle East view Vietnam as a promising destination for steel imports. Experts emphasize that Vietnam's steel export volume in 2023 also benefited partly from the weakened export activities of competing nations such as China, India, and Turkey, creating opportunities to boost production capacity in the country.Vietnam ranks among the top 12 countries with the highest global crude steel production in 2023Predictions for 2024 anticipate a positive recovery in both demand and steel prices in Vietnam, with raw material prices forecasted to significantly decrease. This is expected to lead to a substantial increase in the Vietanm steel industry's profit margins. The primary driving force for domestic steel consumption comes from the expected strong recovery in the civil construction sector, while the industrial and infrastructure construction segments are projected to sustain growth throughout 2023.Regarding the export sector, the World Steel Association notes that the growth in infrastructure construction activities in the ASEAN, U.S., and EU markets, coupled with the benefits from bilateral agreements, will boost Vietnam's steel export activities this year. Therefore, it is expected that Vietnam's crude steel production in 2024 will experience a more robust increase compared to the current year, driven by both domestic and international market dynamics.China and India are the two largest steel producers globallyChina has once again maintained its position as the leading country in the global steel industry. In the past year, 2023, the country produced a staggering 1,019 million tons, sustaining its production at a stable level after two consecutive years of decline. According to analysts from S&P Global Commodity Insights, China's steel production is anticipated to decrease by 0.5% in 2024 as domestic plants seek solutions to address excess supply issues along with weak profit margins. This outcome is expected to lead to another prediction that China's iron ore imports will decline due to the slowing down of steel production.The statistical chart of raw steel-producing nations for the current year also reveals a remarkable surge in India's production, driven by robust domestic demand and infrastructure projects supported by the government's ongoing initiatives. In 2023, India recorded a noteworthy growth, with a production increase of 11.8% compared to the previous year, reaching an impressive 140.2 million tons. Notably, amidst the global decline in steel demand, India continues to maintain its position as one of the countries with the highest growth rates in crude steel production and stands out as one of the few nations showing positive growth trends.The monthly crude steel production figures for China and the world in 2023Crude steel production in Europe decline from weak demandOverall, crude steel production in Europe is reported to have decreased by 6.7% in 2023 compared to 2022. Among the 71 countries listed, the majority of nations in the European region witnessed negative growth. Specifically, Germany, recording its lowest crude steel production since 2009 with around 35.4 million tons in 2023, marked a 3.9% decrease from the previous year. Similarly, the second-largest steel producer in Europe, Italy, also exhibited a 2.5% reduction in production to 21.06 million tons.The simultaneous decline in steel production can be attributed to low consumption demand and high energy prices, presenting challenges for factories in the region. The steel industry in Europe is grappling with high production costs due to increased energy prices since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, alongside an influx of cheaper imported products that impose limitations on local steel manufacturers.The production downturn is not limited to domestic output; steel exports to the EU also witnessed a 5.57% reduction in 2023 compared to the same period. However, the growth rate of steel exports to new markets, including Western Asia and Central Asia, experienced a substantial increase. The persistence of inflationary cycles and the strong impact of trade protectionism are considered the primary impediments to steel exports from other countries to this region.