On March 6th, President Trump called off tariffs on Canada and Mexico. But on March 12th, Trump slapped tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, including Canada and Mexico.
From Mexico News Daily : “Mexico “got a concession on tariffs from United States President Donald Trump last week, but it couldn’t avoid duties on the steel and aluminum it exports to its northern neighbor. The United States on Wednesday [March 12th] imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, as per an executive order Trump signed on Feb. 10. The tariffs — imposed on national security grounds — also apply to hundreds of products made with those metals, including nuts and bolts, bulldozer blades and soda cans…Mexico and other countries tried to get an exemption to the duties but were unsuccessful.”
Mexico News Daily reports that “Mexico is the world’s second largest exporter of steel, aluminum and products derived from those metals to the United States, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The value of those Mexican exports to the U.S. was US $34.83 billion last year, second only to China. Most of that amount, however, came from the export of products derived from aluminum and steel. Mexico’s exports of steel itself to the United States were worth US $3.5 billion last year, while aluminum shipments generated revenue of $397 million.”
IMCO, the Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad A.C. (Mexican Institute for Competitivity provides more detailed information. From Mexico News Daily:
“According to the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), a Mexico City-based think tank, the United States’ steel and aluminum tariffs will impact 4.7% of all Mexican exports. Mexico’s exports of steel, aluminum and derivative products collectively contributed to 1.56% of Mexico’s GDP in 2024, the think tank said...IMCO noted that auto parts, domestic appliances and electronic products manufactured in Mexico will be affected by the tariffs. The manufacture of those products is “crucial” to the industrial sectors of at least 11 Mexican states, the think tank said. IMCO calculated that the new 25% tariffs — if they had been in effect in 2024 — would have affected Mexican goods worth US $22.53 billion.”
“The figure is lower than the total value of Mexico’s steel and aluminum exports to the United States last year because the new tariffs only apply to the steel and aluminum content of a product partially derived from those metals, not the entire product. In addition, United States steel and aluminum used in products exported to the U.S. are not subject to the 25% tariffs.”
“Among the Mexican products that are subject to the new tariffs, IMCO listed those that generated the most revenue as a result of their shipment to the United States last year.”
The list includes automobile parts, air conditioner parts, telephone parts, metal furniture, refrigerator and freezer parts, machines and electrical devices.
“IMCO noted that Mexico’s auto industry, ‘one of the country’s main export sectors,’ will be ‘directly’ impacted by the tariffs.”
On another note, USA Today reports that Trump’s tariff threats have boosted the public approval of the leadership of Canada and Mexico: “Approval ratings for Canadian and Mexican leaders are skyrocketing amid popular outrage in those countries over President Donald Trump’s tariff threats − as his own approval ratings have slipped among Americans…Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approval ratings are sky high – 85% approve of her, while just 15% disapprove – the highest approval rating of any Mexican president in the last three decades, according to a poll from El Financiero conducted from Feb. 13 to 17 and Feb. 20 to 24. In Canada, the ruling Liberal Party hadn’t led in national polls since February 2021. Now, according to a recent Ipsos survey, they lead the opposition Conservatives, 38% to 36% [There are polls showing the Liberals ahead, other polls, however, show a tie or Conservatives leading, it’s close.]….support for the country’s Liberal Party surged late last month, after Trump’s tussle with the country. The Liberals wiped out a 26-point Conservative Party lead within six weeks…A Leger poll taken from Feb. 28 to March 2 found 85% of Canadians reject Trump’s annexation proposal.”
In the Canadian province of Ontario, Progressive Conservative Premier (Governor) Doug Ford won reelection on February 27th. Ford has taken the lead in opposing Trump tariffs and has been called “Captain Canada”.
Excellent info and insights the big media never provides–thanks–if I want to know about Mexico–I turn to you,