Mexico eyes steel tariffs on US as trade fight brews

The words come amid escalating tensions between the two countries on the subject of steel imports. The US is threatening to reimpose Section 232 tariffs on Mexican steel imports because of what it deems a “surge.” Mexico disputes this.

Steel trade groups react

Philip K. Bell, president of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), told SMU the USTR is working hard to reach an agreement with Mexico to “stop the surge in steel imports” into the US.

“Mexico is a key trading partner, and we hope the two sides can come together on a deal that brings imports back in line with historic norms and curbs transnational shipping of steel from nonmarket economies to evade US trade laws,” he added.

Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), said in a statement to SMU, “There is no basis for Mexico imposing tariffs on steel exports from the United States.”

He commented that the current discussions between Mexico and the US “are about ensuring that Mexico lives up to the terms of the agreement it entered into in 2019 to gain an exemption from the Section 232 tariffs.”

Dempsey said this requires “establishing an effective monitoring system to ensure that there are no surges in their exports of steel to the US.”

Like Bell, he stressed, “It also requires taking additional steps to prevent the transshipment of steel made in third countries through Mexico to avoid the Section 232 tariffs imposed on steel from other countries.”

A request for comment from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) was not returned by time of publication.