Mexican Steel Lobby: Mexico should seek tariff exclusion before closing NAFTA

Mexico’s steel industry association CANACERO said in a statement late-Wednesday, Mexico should seek exclusion from U.S. tariffs on steel imports before closing the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Reuters reports.

CANACERO noted: “It’s difficult to understand how Mexico could accept updating NAFTA without resolving the problems created by the application of the measure under Section 232.” 

Mexico should impose equivalent measures against U.S. steel imports in the meantime in order to “level the playing field.”

“It is imperative that the Mexican government defend its national industry and request the exclusion of Mexico from the 232 measure before closing the negotiation between the three countries.”