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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Economy & Trade

US Asks Mexico to Join Steel, Aluminum Tariffs to Block Chinese Goods

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • The U.S. has asked Mexico to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from outside North America.
  • This move aims to jointly restrict Chinese steel and aluminum products from entering the North American market.
  • Negotiations are ongoing under the USMCA review framework, with a goal of reaching a framework agreement by year-end.

The United States is urging Mexico to adopt similar "Section 232" tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from outside North America. This coordinated effort seeks to create a unified external tariff barrier against Chinese products, thereby protecting the preferential treatment for steel produced within the US, Mexico, and Canada under the USMCA.

This move aims to jointly restrict Chinese steel and aluminum products from entering the North American market.

— Bloomberg reportContext for the U.S. request to Mexico regarding tariffs.

Sources indicate that Mexico is open to the proposal as part of broader negotiations within the USMCA review framework. Discussions are currently focused on potential tariff rates and the specific products involved. The U.S. aims to finalize a framework agreement with Mexico by the end of the year.

Bilateral talks between U.S. and Mexican officials have been ongoing as part of the USMCA review process. The stakes have increased since the U.S. rejected the agreement's existing form on July 1, opting for rolling negotiations to tighten regional rules of origin and curb Chinese influence in North America.

Mexico is open to the proposal.

— Sources familiar with the matterRegarding Mexico's stance on the U.S. tariff proposal.

Key discussions, including those between U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard in Mexico City, have covered steel and aluminum, automotive, economic security, labor, and agriculture. Both governments plan to meet again in Washington in September, emphasizing the need to prevent non-USMCA countries from "free-riding."

We must stop countries outside the USMCA from 'free-riding'.

— Unnamed officialsEmphasizing the need for a unified trade approach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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