Two North American steel associations, Mexico’s Canacero, and Canada’s Steel Producers Association (CSPA), sent a joint letter this week requesting the exclusion of tariffs over Mexican and Canadian steel exports to the US.
The associations requested that the three North American governments, Mexico, the United States (US) and Canada, to “discuss” the exclusion of “all trade restrictions over the steel” exports under Section 232.
Mexico has maintained tariffs over the imports of steel from the US in response to Trump’s 232 Section tariffs, despite a preliminary trade agreement between Mexico and the US.
“Through fair and open trade within the NAFTA region, Canada, the US and Mexico are better positioned to compete and succeed in the global economy,” said CSPA’s president, Joseph Galimberti.
The letter stated both Canacero and CSPA are committed to “actively defend” the North American markets from unfair global steel imports.
Canacero and CSPA argued free, clean and open steel trade is a crucial component of a “successful” NAFTA agreement. Mexico has already signaled its interest in a “trilateral” NAFTA agreement.
Canacero and CSPA said 97 percent of Canada’s steel exports are destined to the US and Mexican markets. Likewise, 90 percent of the US steel exports go to Canada and Mexico, and 76 percent of Mexico’s steel exports are destined to the Canadian and US markets.