US recyclers concerned about retaliatory tariffs on exports: ReMA

Scrap recyclers in the US remain concerned about potential retaliatory tariffs on their exports because of potential tariffs that could be imposed by President Donald Trump, Robin Weiner, president of Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) said at the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) conference in Jaipur Jan. 29.

The US exported 31.45 million mt of ferrous scrap in 2023, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence's Global Trade Atlas.

"We're an export-oriented industry in the US. So, what we're most concerned about really are the retaliatory tariffs that may be imposed on our exports to other countries," Weiner said. "We're very dependent on shredders for shredder wear parts. And the primary source for those in the world is China."

Weiner added that they would work with the Trump administration to get an extension on the tariff exemptions for shredder wear parts.

Earlier in 2024, the US Trade Representative's office extended tariff exemptions that cover certain shredder components imported from China until May 2025.

This exemption was to tariffs that were first imposed back in 2018, as part of the US-China trade war during Trump's first term in office.

Upon returning to office for a second term in January 2025, President Trump has threatened to impose a series of tariffs on foreign-imported goods.

So far, he has suggested a 25% tariff imposition on imports from Canada and Mexico from Feb. 1.

Platts assessed No. 1 busheling prices unchanged at $410/lt on both a delivered-Midwest and delivered-Southeast basis Jan. 29. Shredded scrap prices were assessed steady at $390/lt delivered Midwest and $395/lt delivered Southeast.

Platts is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.