The 50% increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by the United States government has begun to generate uncertainty among logistics operators, especially those linked to the movement of materials for heavy industry, according to Ángel Hernández Gaytán , general director of Super Transporte Internacional (STI) .
“We have been affected, especially in the case of steel. We move a lot of raw materials, such as coils and profiles that are exported from Mexico to the United States, and we have noticed a decrease in movements at plants that handle large export volumes, mainly due to the high 50% tariff,” Hernández explained.
The impact also affects aluminum , whose application is transversal to various industries. “So many goods aren’t made with aluminum, always soda cans, beer cans; nowadays, there’s a high tariff on everything,” he added.
Hernández also noted that the trucking industry expects a prompt solution from the Mexican government and recalled statements by “Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of the Economy, that there was a discussion and a dialogue with the American authorities to reduce the impact of the 50% tariff.”
According to the Ministry of Economy (SE) , in 2024 the total commercial exchange of iron or steel articles reached 20 thousand 694 million dollars (mdd) , with exports for nine thousand 797 million dollars and imports for 10 thousand 897 million dollars .
The United States remained the main destination for these Mexican exports, with $7.763 billion , followed by Canada and Saudi Arabia. Nationally, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas were the states with the highest international sales of these products.
Hernández also acknowledged that the measure has had consequences for the sector:
“Yes, there is an impact. Although we’ve already said it, there’s an imbalance in Mexico, right? The trade balance is in favor of the United States over Mexico. But even so, exports continue to have a significant impact, speaking of our trucking sector and transporters located at strategic border points,” he noted.
The most immediate consequence, according to the executive, is uncertainty in decision-making. “It hasn’t allowed them to develop long-term plans. Today, those plans are changing every 20 or 30 days based on new news and what’s coming.”
Ángel Hernández believed that uncertainty will persist as long as the groundwork for renegotiation is not clearly defined. “Until the basics and a direction are established, that’s when we’ll have the certainty the entire market needs.”
The tariff increase was officially announced by the United States government on June 4, when it doubled the tax on imported steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% .
The measure, promoted by the Donald Trump administration , is intended to strengthen domestic production of these inputs, although it has been described as “unfair” and without legal basis by Mexican authorities.
In response, the Mexican government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has held meetings with U.S. officials seeking a solution that would reduce the bilateral impact.
Meanwhile, industry organizations such as the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) and the National Chamber of the Aluminum Industry (Canalum) have warned of the risks to cross-border trade and the supply chain, especially in strategic sectors such as trucking.
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