The government of Claudia Sheinbaum has decided not to respond immediately to the 25% tariffs imposed by the United States. Instead of taking action, it has opted to delay any measures until April 2.
Meanwhile, the Mexican steel industry faces uncertainty and potential economic impacts without the federal government taking decisive measures.
Trump imposes tariffs and Mexico just watches
On February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump announced new tariffs of 25% for steel and aluminum from Mexico and Canada. The measure aims to reduce the trade deficit and strengthen the U.S. steel industry.
In a negotiation attempt, Trump had granted a one-month extension after talks with Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. However, on February 10, the U.S. implemented the tariffs without exceptions, affecting its main trading partners.
Sheinbaum without strategy: "Analysis" instead of action
Sheinbaum, instead of acting firmly, has opted for inaction. Her government claims to be evaluating the possibility of imposing reciprocal measures, but without making concrete decisions.
Unlike other countries that reacted immediately, Sheinbaum has preferred to wait until April 2. She trusts that bilateral meetings with the U.S. will solve the crisis without the need for retaliation.
The Mexican industry on the brink of collapse
The outlook for the Mexican steel industry is concerning. Mexico imports more steel than it produces and relies on exports to the U.S., leaving it in a vulnerable position.
The impact of the tariffs can be devastating, increasing production costs and reducing the competitiveness of national companies. Without an immediate response from the government, the industry is exposed to a crisis that could have been mitigated with firmer measures.
The Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, announced meetings with U.S. officials to seek alternatives within the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, these negotiations have so far not yielded concrete results.
Ebrard argued that the tariffs are unjustified, pointing out that Mexico imports more steel from the U.S. than it exports. Even so, the government has not implemented retaliations, unlike other countries.
Canada and the EU react, Mexico keeps waiting
While Canada and the European Union replied with tariff measures on U.S. imports, Mexico remains in a position of submission and endless dialogue.
Sheinbaum prioritizes diplomacy over economic defense
Sheinbaum's government insists on its supposed transparency and denies that Mexico serves as a bridge for Chinese steel in the U.S.
However, the reality is that the government continues to offer no concrete solutions, relying on negotiations that could extend indefinitely without achieving real benefits for the Mexican industry.
April 2 remains marked as the deadline for a reaction from Mexico. However, the lack of an immediate response exposes the absence of leadership and economic vision in Sheinbaum's government.
