President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo condemned the recent decision by the United States government to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50 percent for all countries, including Mexico. During her morning press conference, Las Mañaneras del Pueblo, she called the measure “unjust and unsustainable”, stating that it lacks commercial justification and harms Mexican industry and employment.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico imports more steel than it exports, making the U.S. justification based on trade deficits illogical. “We do not believe it is fair or sustainable—it drives up costs. We import more steel than we export. It’s unjust,” she said, noting that the measure disrupts integrated value chains between the two countries.
She also argued that the tariff violates the legal framework established by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), undermining trade cooperation. She warned that the action runs counter to the spirit of binational collaboration, especially in areas like security, where both governments have maintained close ties.
In response, Sheinbaum announced that her administration will continue consultations with Mexico’s steel and aluminum industries while negotiations proceed between Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and his U.S. counterpart, Howard Lutnick. She reaffirmed Mexico’s commitment to the Plan México strategy for strengthening economic resilience and regional integration.
The president concluded by stating that the relationship with the U.S. will remain grounded in mutual respect and equality. If a favorable agreement is not reached, Mexico is prepared to implement measures to safeguard its industry and workers. “Our responsibility is to protect employment and Mexican workers,” Sheinbaum declared.
