A 15 percent tariff over certain steel imports from China and countries Mexico does not have trade agreements with expired this week and has not been renewed so far, bringing uncertainty as to whether the duties will be renewed once again.
The tariff applied to to slab, CRC, HRC, heavy plate and wire rod imports. The duty was first introduced in October 2015 for six months and renewed several times.
Mexican steelmakers Ternium Mexico and AHMSA have already expressed their concerns over the renewal of the provisional tariff. Mexico’s economy secretariat, SE, is reportedly analyzing if it will keep the duties or not, and should soon issue a decision.
AHMSA said earlier this year the duties have helped the integrated steelmaker keep jobs and investment plans.