The Mexican Government announced a series of retaliatory tariffs on a diverse group of U.S. products in reaction to tariffs imposed by the United States on imports of steel and aluminum.

The response from Mexico comes after more than a year of developments in the bilateral trade relationship.  In April 2017, the Trump Administration self-initiated two separate investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, on the grounds that imports of steel and aluminum pose a threat to U.S. national security.  This resulted in the Department of Commerce finding that the quantities and circumstances of steel and aluminum imports “threaten to impair the national security,” as defined by Section 232.

President Trump then announced plans to impose tariffs on all imports of covered steel (25 percent) and aluminum (10 percent), which went into effect on March 23.  The Trump Administration initially granted temporary exemptions from these Section 232 tariffs for a number of countries, including Mexico.  However, on June 1, the temporary exemption expired for Mexico, as well as for Canada and the EU, and the Trump Administration opted not renew.

Companies with cross-border supply chains or companies that sell products from the United States into Mexico need to be aware of changes in tariffs being made and potential increased costs for doing business.  The full retaliation list announced by Mexico can be accessed here.