Jim Cramer Talked About These 16 Stocks

6. Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE)

Cramer remarked that he would buy Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) stock even while it is up and emphasized that Trump should protect the company from Chinese steel.

“The President-elect wants to protect the American industries. He should protect Nucor from Chinese steel, which is transshipped through Mexico right now, and [the] Biden administration did nothing about it. I’d buy that stock of Nucor even up here.”

Nucor (NYSE:NUE) is a major manufacturer and supplier of steel products, serving customers throughout North America. According to S&P Global, in 2024, China exported approximately 638,356 metric tons of finished steel to the United States during the first nine months of the year. Amidst these trade flows, the company has been vocal in urging the U.S. government to impose stronger trade restrictions on countries like Mexico, which, according to the company, could be used as a conduit for China to bypass the steel tariffs established under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

Nucor’s CEO, Leon Topalian, emphasized this stance during a conference with investors, where he reiterated the company’s commitment to advocating for fair trade practices in Washington, irrespective of the political administration. He stressed the importance of creating a level playing field for the U.S. steel industry, ensuring that illegally dumped and subsidized steel does not flood the market.

During Nucor’s (NYSE:NUE) third-quarter earnings call, Topalian noted that there is now broad bipartisan agreement on the need for strong trade enforcement, particularly regarding steel imports. He pointed to the damage done to the U.S. steel industry by unfair trade practices and highlighted some troubling developments, such as a sharp 180% spike in steel exports from Mexico on a quarterly basis.

Topalian also discussed the global oversupply of steel, particularly from China, where roughly 100 million metric tons of steel are seeking international markets. He commented that the U.S. remains the most significant market for this surplus.