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What's the Mood Among Steel Suppliers?

When the dollar strengthens and when high strength expensive alloy demand weakens (offshore deep water oil rigs, armor plate for massive USA, European, Chinese new military products, all old and new equipment, that protect from crazy roadside bombs) will the profits slow. Keep in mind that 1.5 billion Chinese are buying their first car and producing 1/3 of all steel production. They are building 10 cities the size of Detroit from scratch needing raw material and equipment that only developed European, Japanese, US mfrs can produce in mass to get needed minerals mined out of the ground and CAT like equipment to build roads. India and China are going through an industrial revolution similar to what we went through in the 1890's and if I am correct, Andrew Carnegie did quite well.

I see the steel market remaining very profitable as US Mfg exports increase on heavy equip that offsets housing and auto slump in sales. Steel is sold in tons and a tractor and bulldozer has more tons than an Chevy Geo compact car. It is going to last for another 1-2 yrs minimum and the dollar will have to increase in value by 30% prior to the US steel producers having issues with import threats. Imports are 30 million tons per yr by NEED as US producers can only produce 100 million tons for a 130 million ton demand during normal times. Although GM, Ford are hurting, Deere, CAT, Terex, Manitowoc, Case are not by any standards. Export order books are typically 10% max and are now 30-40% of backlogs. The statebird in Dubai is the ''Crane''.