Steel import permit applications for March 2007 totaled 2,824,000 net tons according to the latest report from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Based the Commerce Department’s most recent Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) data, the report shows that the March total represents a increase of approximately 5% over the 2,694,000 permit tons recorded in February 2007, a 6% increase over the February preliminary imports total of 2,655,000 net tons, and is 6% greater than the 2005 monthly average. Import permit tonnage for finished steel totaled 2,345,000 net tons in March 2007, which compares to preliminary imports of 2,140,000 net tons in February 2007 and a monthly average of 2,099,000 net tons in 2005.

For March, the largest volume of steel import permit applications for an individual country was Canada at 549,000 net tons. Other notable countries include China at 368,000 net tons, Brazil at 235,000 net tons, and Mexico at 206,000 net tons. Finished steel import permit applications for Chinese steel were up around 12% in March compared to the preliminary imports totals for February.

March 2007 marks the tenth consecutive month that China (a non-market economy country that provides large subsidies to steel and other manufacturing industries) will be the largest or next-to-largest foreign supplier of steel to the U.S. market. China’s March tonnage of 368,000 net tons, while below the record 2006 tonnage amounts, is 92% above the 2005 monthly average of 192,000 net tons.

In analyzing the SIMA data for the month of March, AISI President and CEO Andrew G. Sharkey III, said that, “While Imports have declined from 2006 record levels, they remain high by historical standards so we continue to monitor imports closely. We continue to have serious concerns about foreign market-distorting trade practices in steel and steel containing products. Against this background, we are working with Congress to strengthen America’s vital trade laws to ensure market-based outcomes for efficient U.S. Producers.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology.