Australian Steel Association CEO David Buchanan says the Australian steel market has seen a softening in prices unrelated to the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

“The Australian market, however, is relatively soft. I think that’s a reflection of the general economy and the general situation within Australia,” Mr Buchanan said.

“We’ve seen a softening in prices; we do see high stock levels, but nothing to do with the tariffs that were imposed by Mr Trump.

“We are concerned about … imported fabricated and finished steel goods, so not so much your raw material type products that are produced domestically here such as structural steel beams, or coils, or raw products, but more so actual finished buildings, finished bridges, finished fabricated structures.”