Latest data shows that US tire imports totaled 93.07 million units in the first four months of 2026, a year-over-year decrease of 4.2%. Specifically, imports of passenger car tires fell 3% to 55.74 million units; truck and bus tire imports dropped 9% to 19.54 million units; aircraft tire imports rose 19% to 107,000 units; motorcycle tire imports declined 4% to 1.21 million units; and bicycle tire imports increased 20% to 2.53 million units.

The 4.2% year-over-year decline in US tire imports during this period signals weak overseas demand, which is expected to suppress operating rates at tire manufacturing plants. As natural rubber is a core raw material for tires, the anticipated weakening in market demand exerts bearish pressure on its spot price.

Synthetic rubber is another key raw material for tire production; the drop in US tire imports reflects insufficient external demand for tires. Through the demand transmission effect, expectations for synthetic rubber market demand are also declining, creating a generally bearish factor for its price.

The US is a major global tire import market. The 4.2% year-over-year decline in imports reflects weak overseas demand, which will exacerbate the pressure of loose supply-demand conditions in the global tire industry and exert bearish pressure on tire spot prices.

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