The Latin American steel sector is pushing for more coordinated action to counter the growing influx of steel imports, particularly from China. Ezequiel Tavernelli, Executive Director of the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero), emphasized that the region has been significantly affected, having implemented fewer protective measures over the past 25 years, which has disrupted the entire industry’s value chain.

Tavernelli urged Latin American nations to accelerate and unify their trade defense strategies, noting that the region takes 18 to 28 months to enforce such measures, compared to 12-14 months in developed markets and just 8-10 months in the United States. He also warned of a deepening process of deindustrialization, citing a decline of four percentage points in industrial GDP and a five percentage point drop in industrial product exports over the past quarter century. Strengthening regional cooperation was presented as a necessary step to reverse these trends.

Victor Cairo, President of the Mexican Chamber of Steel (Canacero), stressed the urgency of preventing the inflow of subsidized steel products from China and Southeast Asia, calling on the Mexican government to raise tariffs and block steel triangulation. The industry advocates for actions aligned with Article 29 of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and proposed adjustments to temporary import regulations.

Mexico has intensified its efforts against illegal steel imports and is also looking to boost domestic production in response to US tariffs on steel products.