Mexico is deferring retaliatory actions regarding U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports as negotiations continue. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated her preference to wait for the U.S. decision on tariffs while contrasting with Canada’s immediate counter-tariffs. Mexico’s Economy Ministry is engaging in talks in Washington, and Brazil is considering a similar negotiation-based response.
Mexico has chosen to postpone its response to the United States’ tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. President Claudia Sheinbaum is prioritizing negotiation efforts to prevent additional tariffs that could affect a range of products and services. As of March 12, she indicated a preference to await U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on imposing 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports, which are currently on hold until April 2 due to a free trade agreement.
This approach diverges sharply from Canada, which has already announced 25% counter-tariffs on approximately $21 billion in U.S. products following the U.S. administration’s implementation of global tariffs. During her daily press conference, Sheinbaum stated, “Given that we have a trade agreement and there are no tariffs from Mexico to the United States, well, there shouldn’t be any reciprocal tariffs.” She expressed the intention to assess the situation after April before deciding on potential tariffs.
Meanwhile, Mexican Economy Ministry Marcela Ebrard and other officials traveled to Washington this week to address the steel and aluminum tariff situation. Ebrard is slated to provide updates during Sheinbaum’s press conference on March 13. In Latin America, Brazil has indicated a similar intention to adopt a reciprocal action concerning the new U.S. tariffs, contingent upon negotiations with the Trump administration.
In summary, Mexico’s strategic delay in retaliating against U.S. tariffs aims to facilitate negotiations that could prevent broader economic impacts. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approach, emphasizing cooperation and dialogue, marks a significant policy stance in contrast to Canada’s more aggressive response. The outcomes of these discussions may shape trade relations in the coming months.
Original Source: www.ttnews.com
