Aluminum Association Hails Higher Aluminum Tariffs in Mexico

The Aluminum Association cheered the Mexican decision to apply tariffs to 544 tariff lines in aluminum and aluminum products. The tariffs are as low as 5% or 10% on some products, but are 25% and 35% on most.

Aluminum Association CEO Charles Johnson said: "We appreciate this important first step by the government of Mexico to tighten aluminum trade enforcement in North America -- consistent with commitments made under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). While we continue to assess how these tariffs might impact regional trade flows, we look forward to further aligning the action with the United States’ Section 232 aluminum tariff regime."

Section 232 tariffs on aluminum are 10%. Johnson said coordination between Mexico and Canada will better protect the region from state-subsidized metal from China and discounted Russian metal.

"The Aluminum Association also understands and shares the concerns expressed by other industry groups that duty forgiveness programs such as IMMEX may undermine the impact of this action," he added. He also expressed concern that the Mexican action is not solely against Chinese or Mexican imports, and said the association wishes to work with Mexico so that they are "enforced in a smart, targeted and efficient way so that they do not negatively impact valued trading partners."