Mexico's Secretary Of Economy Says Tariffs Imposed By Trump On Steel And Aluminum Are 'Unfair'

Less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., Mexican officials say the measure is "unfair" and expect to negotiate it.

Mexico was the third largest exporter of steel to the U.S., with more than 3.5 million tons in 2024, only surpassed by Brazil (4.5 million) and Canada (6.5 million). In that context, officials are saying Trump's decision to eliminate country exceptions and quota deals "was not justified."

According to Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, Mexican officials will try to negotiate the latest order from the Trump administration, which is set to go into effect on March 12.

As reported by El Pais, Ebrard told reporters during a news conference that Mexican officials will meet with their American counterparts next week to present them with enough arguments to make them change their minds. "We are confident that our arguments will resonate with them," Ebrard said.

In addition, Ebrard said that Trump's decision of imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum was a bad idea. He insisted that imposing a tax on such a crucial product would be like "shotting ourselves in the foot" as the automotive industry in North America relies heavily on the materials.

"Those tariffs are a bad idea because we (North America) are all integrated in that industry, so we have to take care of production," Ebrard said. "We count with a small window in order to persuade and insist on getting rid of these tariffs," he added.

The announced tariffs will include other finished metal products. Ebrard did not say if Mexico planned reciprocal tariffs on steel or aluminum it imports from the U.S.

Last year, the Biden administration also introduced a tariff on Mexican steel that was melted or poured outside of North America as a way to close a loophole that allowed Chinese goods to enter the U.S. through Mexico without having to pay any tariffs. About 13% of Mexican steel imports into the United States in 2023 were melted or poured outside of North America, according to the White House.

"Chinese steel and aluminum entering the U.S. market through Mexico evades tariffs, undermines our investments, and harms American workers in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio," said Lael Brainard, former director of the White House's National Economic Council.