In a significant development, Mexico declared its intention to engage in discussions with the United States, following the U.S. administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, voiced strong opposition to the tariff decision announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, labeling it as ‘unjustified’ and ‘unfair’. Ebrard emphasized that Mexico imports more steel from the United States than it exports, suggesting that the tariff lacks a solid rationale. He stressed that the U.S. enjoys a trade surplus of $6.897 billion with Mexico in the steel and aluminum markets.
During a daily morning press conference at the National Palace, under the leadership of President Claudia Sheinbaum, Marcelo Ebrard expressed his dissatisfaction with the tariff. He stated that Mexico’s exports of steel, aluminum, and related products to the U.S. account for a mere 2.1% of the nation’s total exports. In response to the issue, Ebrard announced that consultations with U.S. officials would be initiated to present Mexico’s standpoint on the matter.
President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted that with the new tariff set to take effect on March 12, Mexico plans to utilize the intervening period to articulate its views to the U.S. government. She hopes to ‘persuade’ the U.S. regarding the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). She urged for patience, advising that the situation should be approached ‘step by step’.
The tariff imposition is part of a broader initiative where President Trump issued executive orders to levy global tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminum imports, affecting not only Mexico but also allies like Canada, Brazil, and South Korea. This move is reminiscent of Trump’s previous term, wherein similar tariffs were imposed and later suspended to facilitate the USMCA’s ratification.
Notably, the Trump administration’s tariff decision follows a recent agreement to impose 10% duties on China, while the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico have been temporarily postponed until March 1. It is reported that Trump delayed the comprehensive tariff enforcement after Mexico agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border to curb drug trafficking, resulting in significant seizures and arrests between February 5 and 10.
The Mexican government remains committed to resolving the tariff dispute diplomatically, relying on established trade agreements and seeking mutual benefits for both nations.
