The leaders of the U.S. steel industry are turning directly to Trump with a request to limit imports

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Top executives from 25 American and steel companies sent a letter to Trump late Wednesday night, saying that the industry suffers from the consequences of government inaction, but this can change due to its "bold leadership."

The Department of Commerce postponed the release of its recommendations from the "Section 232" study on whether imports constitute a threat to national security, which could lead to Trump imposing broad quotas or tariffs on steel imports.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), an industrial trading group, said on Wednesday that total steel imports in July this year increased by 22 percent compared to the same period last year, with imports accounting for 28 percent of the U.S. market. Last year, steel imports rapidly declined due to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy charges of the Department of Commerce on steel from China and some other countries.

Leaders of the companies, including Nucor Corp, U.S. Steel, ArcelorMittal and DTE Energy, said that a steady increase in steel imports to the United States "hollowed out" most of the domestic steel industry and threatened its ability to meet national security needs.

Under the Cold War Act, Trump will have 90 days to act as soon as the Ministry of Trade submits its study.