Overview
- The American Iron and Steel Institute told the USTR that Mexico has become the main gateway for non‑regional steel, citing a rise in non‑North American imports into Mexico and Canada to 21.5 million tonnes in 2024, with about 16 million in Mexico, or roughly 45% of its market.
- AISI proposes Mexico impose a 50% tariff on all non‑North American steel, strengthen 'melt and pour' enforcement, review IMMEX and PROSEC rules used for circumvention, and publish detailed import and origin data to improve transparency.
- Mexico’s steel chamber, Canacero, notes North America produced 106 million tonnes versus 130 million consumed in 2024 and promotes a 'Fortress North America' strategy to coordinate defenses against global overcapacity and expand regional supply.
- U.S. and Canadian mining groups NMA and MAC seek a mining chapter with most‑favored‑nation treatment, full tariff elimination on minerals, investor–state arbitration access, and a trilateral committee to align permitting, environmental standards, and customs procedures.
- Mexico’s Camimex and AIMMGM have opened talks with the Economy Ministry to elevate mining in the trilateral agenda, arguing for regulatory certainty after actions such as lithium nationalization and the suspension of Vulcan Materials’ operations.