Here is my point.
Twenty years ago, I didn’t have to pay a guy on my staff to test steel. Now, I do. Not everyone does. I have received equipment by major players in their field build with steel that does not meet specs, and if we didn’t test it there would have been a major event (explosion). Not everyone does.
When I challenge the suppliers, the push back is “We can no longer get the steel domestically, so we are forced to buy overseas”. This isn’t just one or two, but every supplier in the field.
So while China is not in the top ten (well, I will believe you as I do not have time to look at the numbers), it has changed how my industry does business in a major way. It has also put people at risk.
Thank you for that information. I didn’t know that although it doesn’t surprise me.