The president of Mexico assured that her government will always favor dialogue and negotiation with the United States on tariff matters, as she said, these are not actions that benefit anyone. However, when asked about the current imposition of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from the U.S., the president said at today’s presidential press conference, Claudia Sheinbaum, mentioned that: “Particularly steel and aluminum, increasing 25 percent, we do not rule it out, but we prefer to continue the dialogue before either measure”.
Sheinbaum’s goal is to, as far as possible, avoid imposing reciprocal tariffs, as this would also represent an increase in prices in Mexico. Therefore, she aims to reach an agreement with the administration of President Donald Trump. “Of course, we want to protect Mexican industry and businesses, but we are seeing if we can reach a prior agreement because of the communication we have, before anything else. Because it would be very easy to put tariffs on steel and aluminum, nothing else will increase prices here,” she specified.
Given this, she reported that the Minister of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, will travel to Washington, DC again this week to continue talks with US trade authorities and avoid more tariffs affecting both nations: “We are still in talks. This week, Marcelo Ebrard is going to Washington to continue the talks. As far as possible, we want to avoid reciprocal tariffs because cars have their characteristics, but it would mean an increase in the price in Mexico”.
Sheinbaum explained that her government is in constant communication with the Mexican private sector, which is also seeking to maintain dialogue and improve commercial conditions with their northern neighbor. Distinguishing her position from the response of the European Union, she concluded: “We are in constant communication with Mexican businessmen and businesswomen. This is also why, beyond what another country or another region of the world is going to do—which is their responsibility, and we respect that—we are seeking to avoid it and to be able to reach an agreement before any other circumstance. And, so far, we have succeeded. We will see if we continue with this mechanism”.
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
