The Mexican government is seeking better tariff treatment for steel and aluminum from the United States, said Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Economy.

U.S. customs currently charges a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from virtually everywhere in the world.

Tariff treatment for steel and aluminum

On Saturday, Ebrard said that the government therefore has until November to “try to reach agreements on various issues,” including the 50% tariff on steel and aluminum. 

“We are discussing the application of tariffs on steel derivatives, because they are pulling the string and adding more things, and that can hurt us. But, at the end of the day, what do we want to achieve? We want Mexico‘s position (on tariffs) to be better than that of any other country,” said the official at the end of the event to sign the Agreement on the Economic Development Pole for the Welfare of Puebla.

New tariff items

The Department of Commerce announced the addition of 407 tariff items to the list of steel and aluminum products subject to Section 232. It applies to goods entered or withdrawn for consumption after 12:01 a.m. ET on August 18, 2025.

U.S. customs authorities are applying tariffs of 35% to Canada and 25% to Mexico on products that do not comply with the USMCA due to alleged non-cooperation on fentanyl and migration issues; 25% on light vehicles from both countries (excluding U.S. content); and 50% on steel, aluminum, and copper from both nations.

USMCA review

Ebrard reported on August 5 that the USMCA review will begin in September 2025, once President Claudia Sheinbaum issues the respective call for bids.

Since the beginning of his second presidential term on January 20, 2025, Trump has increased tariffs on US imports from all of its global partners. To implement these tariffs, the President has cited the authorities of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.