US Steel a big winner after tariffs boost prices

The nation's oldest steelmaker reported its second quarter operating profit rose 38%, and it raised its full-year profit guidance -- it now expects profit for the full year to more than triple.

Prices of its US-made steel rose 5% to 10% in the quarter, and shipments increased revenue by 15%. The company said it expects its steel tube business will become profitable in the second half of the year as prices continue to rise.

In February the Trump administration announced tariffs of 25% on most imported steel and 10% on aluminum imports. Although the tariffs were particularly aimed at combating low-priced steel from China flooding the global market, they have also been imposed on imports from leading US trading partners such as Canada, Mexico and Europe.

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Reduced competition from imported steel has allowed domestic producers such as US Steel to raise the prices of their American-made products. US Steel also reopened one of its blast furnaces in Granite City, Illinois, and the company continues to invest in bringing domestic production back on line.

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"We are encouraged by the Trump Administration's actions to address the threat to the US manufacturing base, our economic competitiveness and our national security from unfairly traded steel imports and global excess capacity," said the company's statement to investors.

But other US manufacturers, particularly those who use steel, are being hurt by the tariffs and the higher prices that have resulted.