Mexico is seeking to eliminate steel tariffs as part of the USMCA review

Mexico is seeking to have U.S. steel tariffs lifted as part of the review of the USMCA trilateral agreement, according to BNamericas.

On May 27–29, the country’s Ministry of Economy and a delegation from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) discussed issues related to various sectors.

The negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of trade tensions arising from the United States’ imposition of tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum under Section 232. Currently, a 50% tariff is imposed on both products. Meanwhile, the automotive sector pays a 25% tariff, albeit under preferential mechanisms within the USMCA.

Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard emphasized that Mexico’s position will be to insist on the removal of these measures.

“As for steel and aluminum, the 50% rate seems unacceptable to us; it has no justification whatsoever. We have already spoken about this; it is nothing new,” he told the press.

Ebrard added that Mexico will advocate for a regional approach to the automotive industry, given the high level of production integration in North America and the rules of origin in effect under the agreement.

The parties will hold additional rounds of trade negotiations in June and July.

As a reminder, in late April of this year, Mexico announced the introduction of a rule requiring all federal construction projects to use steel exclusively from domestic companies.

As reported by GMK Center, last spring the country updated its investment plan, which includes measures aimed at increasing domestic production, particularly steel production, in response to U.S. tariffs. In addition, the country began requiring registration for the import of steel products, which entails companies providing data on the mills from which the imported material originates.