Trade Cases
CRU: Mexico to toughen controls on steel imports
Written by CRU Americas
April 12, 2024
To ease trade tensions with the United States, the economy ministry in Mexico is preparing measures to strengthen definitions on steel being shipped into the country.
Mexico has faced accusations it is being used as a route for steel and aluminum produced in Asia to be sent on to the US, so-called triangulation.
Earlier this year, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai noted in a meeting with Mexico’s secretary of economy, Raquel Buenrostro, that the US has the right to reimpose 25% import duties on steel and 10% on aluminum.
The Section 232 tariffs on Mexico, implemented in 2018, were suspended in 2019 ahead of the USMCA trade agreement going into effect in 2020.
To avoid the levies’ return, the economy ministry said it would update documentation and information requirements for submission of automatic import notices for steel products on mill and quality certificates, Mexican media reported.
A preliminary draft to the changes is before the National Commission for Regulatory Improvement and will be subject to public comment before a final version is published in the Official Gazette and the changes become effective.
Canacero, a Mexican steel trade association, has bristled at suggestions that the country acts as a conduit for steel going into the US from other countries.
This article was first published by CRU. Learn more about CRU’s services at www.crugroup.com/analysis.
CRU Americas
Read more from CRU AmericasLatest in Trade Cases
Coated steel trade case update: Postponements and new allegations
The steel industry may have to wait even longer for the initial duty determinations in the pending coated steel unfair trade investigations.
Price on Trade: Next six months will set course of trade for years to come
This may be the most consequential six months for trade policy in recent memory. The wait to see what form Trump's actions take is almost over.
Steel at top of Canada’s list for potential retaliatory tariffs
It feels a little like déjà vu: Trump threatens tariffs, Canada retaliates with tariffs of its own.
Trump refutes tariff pare-down report
The Trump administration may be considering alternative tariff plans, but Trump said the report is "Fake News."
Commerce says welded line pipe duties should continue
The US Department of Commerce has determined that anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVDs) on welded line pipe imports from China and Japan should remain in place for five more years.