Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum clarified that no agreement was reached on tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as on vehicles, after a call she held with her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump , on April 16, although she emphasized that dialogue between authorities from both countries continues.
“No agreement has yet been reached, but there is communication at both the Secretariat of Commerce and the Economy, as well as at the presidential level,” he emphasized.
At her morning press conference this Monday, Sheinbaum said that Trump was presented with arguments that favor Mexico.
“In the case of steel and aluminum, we argue that we are in deficit, meaning the United States exports more steel and aluminum to Mexico than Mexico exports to the United States. Our position is the same as in the other cases: for those entering through the free trade agreement, there should be zero tariffs, and if necessary, what is outside the free trade agreement should be discussed,” he explained.
Regarding tariffs on the automotive industry, he emphasized the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .
“I don’t want to go into too much detail about the automotive industry, but I also always emphasize the defense of Mexico, its exports, and the importance of the Mexico-United States-Canada trade agreement for all three countries,” he emphasized.
The Mexican president emphasized that officials from both governments continue to hold talks to reach an agreement on the tariffs.
On April 16, Sheinbaum and Trump held a “very productive” phone call, according to both leaders on social media.
It’s worth remembering that the United States already applies a 25% tax on steel and aluminum imports to Mexico and other nations, as well as a similar tax on domestically manufactured vehicles entering the United States.
In this regard, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned that the global economy will grow by just 2.3% in 2025, due to multiple factors, including current trade tensions and the growing uncertainty generated by the United States’ tariff policy.
In its Trade and Development Outlook 2025 – Under Pressure: Uncertainty Reshaping the Global Economic Outlook report , the UN agency noted that the global economy is on a recessionary trajectory .
Comment and follow us on X: @GrupoT21
