Mexican President calls US tariffs on steel, aluminum 'unfair'
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday described the latest US tariff hikes on steel and aluminium imports, which doubled from 25 per cent to 50 per cent
- MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday described the
latest US tariff hikes on steel and aluminium imports, which doubled from 25
per cent to 50 per cent, as "unfair," "unsustainable," and
lacking any "legal basis."
-
- At her daily morning press conference, Sheinbaum said the
measure, which applies to all countries except the United Kingdom, is unfair to
Mexico because "Mexico imports more steel and aluminium than it
exports."
-
- Usually, "a tariff is imposed when there is a
deficit," said Sheinbaum, but "we import more steel" so it is
"unfair."
-
- In addition, Mexico and the United States are partners in
a free trade agreement, so from the Mexican government's perspective, the
tariff "has no legal basis."
-
- According to Washington, however, the tariff responds
more to national security concerns than trade, noted the president, adding it
is still unfair to apply it to Mexico, reports Xinhua news agency.
-
- "It is being considered for reasons of US national
security, and just yesterday, the White House spokesperson said there is very
good collaboration on all fronts with Mexico, including the security issue. So,
we don't believe it is justified," she said.
-
- Finally, she added, the tariff will prove unsustainable
"because just as ... there are many auto parts that cross from one side of
the border to the other, the same occurs with steel."
-
- Sheinbaum said she would meet with industry leaders
during the day to present strategies, and her economy secretary, Marcelo
Ebrard, was preparing negotiations with US authorities this week in
anticipation of an agreement.
-
- "Fifty per cent tariffs represent a significant
impact on the steel and aluminium industry; 25 per cent already represented
problems," she said.
-
- With no agreement, her administration will announce what
measures it will take next week, said Sheinbaum, adding it is not about
"an eye for an eye," but about supporting the industry and the jobs
it creates, which are "very important."
