Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced an agreement with the national steel industry with the aim of strengthening steel production in the country and reducing dependence on imports.

The agreement, described as “historic”, is part of the federal government’s strategy to bolster a sector considered key to production chains, particularly in industries such as automotive and construction; as part of the Mexico Plan.

The agreement includes measures to incentivize national production and promote domestic consumption of steel , in line with an industrial policy that seeks to prioritize national content in different sectors; all this under three main pillars: public procurement , infrastructure financing and commitments to the construction sector .

This announcement comes in a complex context for the Mexican steel industry, marked by trade tensions with the United States, with tariffs of up to 50 percent.

It’s worth noting that Mexico is a major exporter of steel products, with the United States as its primary destination. According to the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) , between 70% and 80% of Mexican steel exports go to the U.S. market, reflecting the high level of production integration in North America.

Furthermore, the industry faces capacity utilization below 60% , pressured by both trade measures and international competition, especially from Asian countries.

Sheinbaum’s announcement comes in parallel with new measures to prioritize the use of domestic steel in public projects, a strategy that seeks to strengthen domestic demand in the face of an adverse international environment.

The agreement with the steel industry also comes in the lead-up to the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , where steel and aluminum are emerging as key issues on the bilateral agenda, especially regarding tariffs and rules of origin.

For his part,  Marcelo Ebrard, head of the Ministry of Economy , underlined the strategic importance of the steel industry for Mexico , highlighting its role in productive autonomy, employment, and the security of industrial chains.

“ It is an extraordinarily important industry for autonomy, for, I would say, even the security of our production chain ,” he stated.

Ebrard emphasized that the national steel industry is a pillar for multiple industries, providing essential inputs for various production chains in the country.

“ The Mexican steel industry is responsible for producing a huge number of inputs for almost all of Mexico’s industrial chains. That’s why we have to take great care of it; besides being very important for employment, it generates value ,” he said.

In numbers, the Mexican steel industry produces around 18 to 20 million tons of steel per year under normal conditions , according to Canacero, and also contributes about 2% of the manufacturing GDP and generates more than 600,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Ebrard also highlighted the dynamism of investments in the sector, referring to his recent visit to a project in Pesquería, Nuevo León.

“ It’s practically a city that’s being built to produce highly sophisticated steel in Mexico and stop importing it, especially for the automotive industry ,” he emphasized.

He added that “ we need to organize ourselves to reduce imports from other parts of the world and so that the industry, including ourselves, can reciprocate the effort it is making, the investment effort, to expand its plants, and help them to get through these months and coming years in the best possible conditions .”

The federal official stated that, while price remains a relevant factor, the origin of the products will be a determining factor in decision-making.

“ It’s not just the price; where it’s made matters a lot. Sometimes we don’t make everything and we have to import some things, but we have to make the effort to, first, see what we can do here in our country ,” he said

He also reiterated that the central objective of the agreement is to support the national steel industry and strengthen domestic production.

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El cargo Mexican government announces agreement with steel industry; Ebrard calls for strengthening it apareció primero en T21.

“In Mexico, it’s very common to have tariff recovery processes, I would say even more so than in the United States. Some say: whatever is lost is already a gain. Excuse the expression, but there are companies that were depleted of capital by these tariffs , so the opportunity to recover them is a source of work,” he emphasized.

To manage the returns, Gómez Marín explained that the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement an automated web portal for importers and customs brokers.

He estimated that the amount in dispute totals 166 billion dollars (USD) , corresponding to payments actually made during the period of validity of the IEEPA tariffs, that is, from February 1, 2025 to February 20, 2026.

He noted that the validation process will be rigorous, so he believes that companies requesting a refund must accurately demonstrate the origin of their goods and the integrity of their manufacturing records.

“Their files must be thoroughly reviewed, they must be very sure of the origin of the raw materials, and I would even say packaging, packing, labor, energy and all associated costs, so that they are very sure that they will be able to recover the tariff,” he warned.

He indicated that the success of the claims will depend on whether the tariffs have been paid and whether they are under suspension or temporary regimes .

“CBP estimates approximately 300,000 simultaneous applications because that’s a lot. We have to consider that it’s roughly a year of operation, and we also have to remember that the United States is one of Mexico’s main trading partners,” he added.

In this process of tariff refunds, Gómez Marín recommended that companies seek external technical and legal advice to correctly integrate the required documentation given the complexity of the procedure.

It is worth remembering that on February 20, the United States Supreme Court ruled, with six votes in favor and three against, that the tariffs imposed through IEEPA were unconstitutional, considering that Trump exceeded his powers.

According to the U.S. Constitution, the power to regulate foreign trade belongs to Congress , so the Executive branch can only exercise powers in this matter to the extent that they have been delegated to it by legislation.

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Continental announced the expansion of its use of recycled and renewable materials in tire production. The company stated that it aims to increase the proportion of these materials from 26% in 2024 to 40% within the next five years .

“We are not reinventing the wheel, but we are reinventing the tire, with more sustainable materials and production processes that are more compatible with the environment,” said Matthias Haufe, Head of Materials Development and Industrialization at Continental Tires.

In a statement, the company indicated that the focus is on materials that reinforce the tire structure and ensure performance throughout its lifespan. Steel and textiles represent approximately 18% of the components in passenger car tires, with an even higher proportion in commercial vehicle tires. Therefore, the company has incorporated recycled steel and polyester derived from PET bottles , in addition to technologies such as COKOON for textile-rubber bonding.

The company also explained that it uses synthetic rubber derived from used cooking oil, resins from biological waste, and silica from rice husks . These alternatives are integrated into all raw material groups to diversify the origin of the components. The goal is to move towards more environmentally friendly production processes.

Recycled steel is incorporated into the casings, bead cores, and belt layers of passenger car and commercial vehicle tires . These reinforcements improve puncture resistance, stability, and fuel efficiency without compromising safety or performance. Recycled polyester is obtained from up to 15 PET bottles per tire , transformed into textile cords using ContiRe.Tex technology developed in partnership with OTIZ. This application, verified by SGS, reduces carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 28% compared to fossil fuel alternatives. This material is already used in models such as the UltraContact NXT, with bottles collected in regions without closed recycling systems.

The COKOON technology , developed with Kordsa, allows for the bonding of reinforcing textiles to rubber without reorcinol or formaldehyde . It is offered as an open-source, license-free solution for manufacturers and suppliers in the industry. The company explained that this aims to promote more sustainable production practices in the tire sector.

Continental recorded sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and employs 95,000 people in 54 countries. Its Tires division generated €13.9 billion and has more than 57,000 employees in 20 production and 16 development centers.

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The National Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) supported the tariff measures announced by the Mexican government, which seek to impose taxes to protect various productive sectors, including the steel industry, within the framework of the Protection Program for Mexico’s Strategic Industries .

This program, which was sent to the  Congress of the Union , considers reforming various sections of the General Import and Export Tax Law, which would adjust tariff fractions of the Tariff of the General Import Tax Law, in order to increase the most favored nation tariffs applicable to the import of different goods.

In this regard, Canacero emphasized the need to promote public policies that strengthen the national industry in the face of the challenges of international trade , highlighting the efforts of the federal government.

“In an increasingly complex global environment, it is essential to have measures that defend Mexican production, promote competitiveness, and protect employment, fundamental pillars of the country’s industrial development,” the organization emphasized in a statement.

Canacero also announced that it is ready to begin the review process for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , “a fundamental negotiation for the future of our country.”

It’s worth remembering that the  Ministry of Economy (SE)  published the call for comments on the operation of this trade agreement in the  Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF)  , ahead of the USMCA review scheduled for July 2026.

The agency expressed confidence that these actions will continue to address the specific needs of the steel value chain and will align with the objectives of Plan Mexico , to further promote investment, industrial development, and regional integration, with the goal of consolidating a strong, modern, and competitive steel industry .

In 2024, Mexico ranked 15th in the world as a steel producer , with Nuevo León leading the way in producing this input, with 2.73 million tons, according to data from Canacero.

Meanwhile, domestic production of  finished steel products  last year reached 18.2 million tons, reflecting the importance of this sector for the country.

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El cargo Canacero approves measures to protect the Mexican steel industry apareció primero en T21.

“The suspension of activities and the subsequent cancellation of export promotion programs at two plants and warehouses belonging to LAU Industries de México, formerly RUSKIN de México, has been implemented,” the federal agency explained in a statement.

The suspension was carried out at both its facilities in Monterrey, Nuevo León, and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, after detecting alleged irregular operations and alleged undervaluation.

“This increase in the aforementioned company’s steel import volume would represent the total steel imports from all IMMEX programs within the segment, recorded in the same quarter of 2024,” he explained.

It’s worth remembering that last March, the Ministry of Economy initiated investigations into imports of various Chinese goods, such as hot-rolled steel, for alleged unfair practices.

Furthermore, in furtherance of the fight against illegal activity in the textile and footwear sectors, the agency also canceled and suspended the IMMEX programs of two companies.

These are the companies Ensenada Textiles and Lancer Orthodontics , which were suspended after detecting irregular operations in their export-import processes, “which translates into unfair competition and consequent damage to the national industry in the sector.”

On December 19, 2024, a decree was published imposing a 35% tariff on 138 tariff items corresponding to manufactured textiles, including footwear products, as part of the measures to protect this industry.

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El cargo The Ministry of Economy suspends a company for alleged irregular steel imports. apareció primero en T21.

Cargo theft in Mexico continues to rise and this year’s figures show a clear trend towards certain products as the most coveted by criminals, according to AI27 , a company dedicated to predictive and preventive solutions in transportation and logistics, which has warned about specific patterns that could put carriers at risk.

Among the main products that attract the attention of criminals on Mexican roads are groceries, wines and liquors, as well as wires and steel .

Raúl Betancourt, director of Data Science at AI27, explained that the high rate of grocery theft is due to the ease with which these goods can be sold on the black market.

“The high demand for these goods allows thieves to introduce them into informal trade without raising suspicions about their origin,” Betancourt explained.

This leads one to reflect on the imposition of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by the United States to Mexico, which could bring more greed among the “owners of other people’s property” with respect to steel loads.

AI27 data reveals that in January 2025, 37% of stolen products belonged to the grocery category , consolidating this historical trend.

Wines and spirits follow , which have been a frequent target of organized crime, while wires and steel occupy third place on the list of most stolen goods.

The report also highlights that the months with the highest incidence of robberies in the last two years have been June and November, with rates of 9.6% and 9.5% , respectively. In particular, June 2024 recorded the highest figure at 10.2%, while November 2023 reached 10.8 percent.

“We have seen an increase in thefts during holiday periods, public holidays and commercial events such as Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday in November. These times represent opportunities for criminals due to the increase in the movement of goods and less surveillance on certain routes,” warned Betancourt.

The theft of goods not only affects transport companies , it also has an impact on the economy and end consumers.

AI27 estimates that when grocery theft increases for three consecutive months, the prices of these products can increase by up to 7.64%, affecting the pockets of the population.

“Cargo theft has been a constant, but with AI, continuous monitoring and real-time data analysis, we can tackle this problem,” said Betancourt.

Prevention strategies and the implementation of new technologies are key to reducing the impact of these crimes on the logistics sector and the country’s economy.

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El cargo Attention carriers! These are the most attractive products for road crime apareció primero en T21.

On February 11, 2022, Traslados y Almacenes el Águila (Tyaasa) began its journey and with it began the history of this company, which is the undertaking of a third generation that is involved with auto transport , these are the brothers Alain, Paola and Juan Pablo Cavazos Cavazos.

These first three years of Tyaasa have not only resulted in the professional growth of the Cavazos Cavazos brothers, but also in the advancement of the motor fleet that already reaches 60 tractor trucks, while they have also diversified their trailer fleet, adding dry boxes, platforms and curtainsiders.

“We have been advancing in the market with a service standard with the 53-foot box, and that is why we are venturing into 40-foot flatbeds and curtains. For now, our goal is to grow in the market segments in which we participate,” Alain Cavazos, general manager of Tyaasa, described to T21.

Tyaasa’s market presence is concentrated in the beverage, steel, retail , electronics and automotive segments , with domestic, semi-dedicated and dedicated service with national coverage.

According to Alain Cavazos, although there is high demand in the dry box segment, there is also a focus on growing with the other divisions.

Tyaasa is part of Zinergia  (number 8 in the  Top 100 of Autotransporte® ), and although it maintains commercial independence, it takes advantage of the infrastructure of terminals and yards to provide coverage at a national level.

By 2025, Tyaasa plans to incorporate between 10 and 15 new units , which will serve to grow the fleet, but also to renew the current vehicle fleet, in order to maintain a young fleet.

Recently, Alain Cavazos shared with T21 the launch of Moose Transfers , a new company focused on temperature-controlled transportation, with which they are entering a new market.

“Although we do not have a shared client at the moment, the goal is to eventually cross-sell between Moose and Tyaasa, offering more alternatives to our customers,” said Alain Cavazos.

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El cargo Tyaasa, 3 years of diversification and constant growth apareció primero en T21.

The imposition of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by the United States to Mexico could generate a “significant impact” on the production costs of heavy vehicles and, consequently, affect the competitiveness of Mexican companies in the international market, according to Rogelio Arzate, executive president of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT) .

During the presentation of the ANPACT Heavy Vehicle Automotive Industry Balance Sheet , Arzate commented that the heavy vehicle industry, production and supply chain are “closely and strongly” integrated with the United States, so the imposition of these tariffs would affect production.

As a result, he explained that vehicle parts, including steel and aluminum, cross the border between Mexico, the United States and Canada up to seven times before the vehicle is assembled and finished in Mexico, so he believes that applying tariffs is not a solution .

For the sector, the concern is not only about the tariffs on steel and aluminum, which will come into effect on March 12, but also about those on imports of Mexican products , which are currently paused (with a tentative application date of March 4).

Regarding the latter, Arzate referred to a transport association which indicated that there would be an increase in the prices of heavy vehicles of around 35 thousand dollars if the 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico were carried out .

However, he said that ANPACT is still studying what the economic impact of tariffs on steel and aluminum could be . He said that the industry is waiting for the next decisions that could define the final impact of the tariffs.

Regarding the position of the Mexican Government , Arzate considered that until now the strategy has been correct .

“The Mexican government has done very well. So far, it has not taken any action in retaliation, which we believe is appropriate because they are working on what was agreed with the American government,” said Arzate.

The CEO of ANPACT also highlighted the importance of defending free trade within the framework of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (T-MEC) and expressed his rejection of the United States’ protectionist measures.

“Avoiding these tariffs would be important,” he said, adding that “imposing tariffs on Mexican exports or imports from the United States is illogical and makes no sense,” Arzate said.

Finally, he assured that ANPACT will continue to maintain constant dialogue with the authorities and will closely monitor the evolution of the issue.

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El cargo Heavy vehicle industry on alert over US tariffs on steel and aluminum apareció primero en T21.

The review of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) is approaching (2026) and the uncertainty of what may come with it is becoming greater and greater, however, one of the industries that has already advanced in This regional integration is steel .

The White House recently released a statement in which the President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced that, in order to protect and strengthen supply chains in North America, imports of steel and aluminum from Mexico will be subject to evaluation of origin, a measure that was agreed upon with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Given this panorama, Raúl M. Gutiérrez Muguerza, president of the DEACERO Group Board , assured that this is great news for the Mexican steel industry because it indicates greater integration of the market in North America .

It should be remembered that to exempt the tariffs (25% steel and 10% aluminum) imposed by the United States, a certificate must be presented that proves the regional origin of casting and casting of this material.

“In the case of steel there are a large amount of unfair imports from many countries and that harms competitiveness. This generates a very high growth potential,” said Gutiérrez Muguerza.

The specialist assured that, given this measure, the Mexican market is prepared to cooperate in this certification, especially because 87% of Mexican steel exports comply with the certification of origin , that is, only 13% of these contain materials. foreign raw materials, so the industry is already working to inject capabilities into its production.

For his part, the national coordinator of Social, Productive and Economic Sectors in Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidential campaign, elected deputy Alfonso Ramírez Cuéllar, assured that, 75 days before the new head of the Executive Branch 2024-2030 takes office, Mexico must adopt an industrial policy and “we must do everything possible to increase national content and added value in our products, and above all things we have that conviction.”

He assured that before the revision of the T-MEC, Mexico has a major problem, since it is one of the countries that incorporates the least regional content and the least added value into its export products .

Therefore, specific public policies must be supported to break the long period of moderate growth, which is why it is also necessary to redefine the relationship between the public and the private, issue recommendations and establish coincidences in the face of challenges.

“We are obliged to assume part of North America, on that basis the review of the T-MEC will have a long-term future that allows us to strengthen commercial ties and deepen cooperation to combat crime, find new schemes to resolve our fiscal weaknesses and Above all, make joint investments in new technologies for research and infrastructure,” concluded the deputy.

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El cargo Steelmakers Celebrate New Tariff Measures to Protect USMCA Zone apareció primero en T21.

Faced with a challenging context in global supply chains and the opportunity that Mexico has with the relocation of companies (nearshoring), Raúl M. Gutiérrez Muguerza, president of the Board of  Grupo DEACERO , indicated that it is necessary to work hand in hand with the public sector to enhance more opportunities, in addition to promoting Mexican industry with industrial intelligence .

The steel company explained that it has implemented a strategy based on industrial intelligence, which aims to create a value chain based on innovation and sustainability.

“In recent years we have witnessed a series of significant changes in the world driven by technological advances, political transformations, environmental challenges, as well as social and economic changes. Therefore, it is essential to design strategies that integrate all stages of the production chain, especially in the manufacturing sector, which is not only a key pillar of our economy, but also has a significant impact on innovation, productivity and job creation,” he said. Gutiérrez Muguerza.

Likewise, he assured that innovations in manufacturing boost productivity and competitiveness, which is why he has invested one billion dollars over three years – starting in 2023 – to carry out this strategy that will focus on generating more value for its customers by listening to their customers. needs, as well as creating more infrastructure.

“Our competitiveness model is based on industrial intelligence; that is, reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly and differently, understand complex ideas, learn quickly from experiences and act pragmatically, recognize new circumstances by putting aside what we know is not giving us the results expected. It is not just about producing, but about producing with greater value,” said Raúl Gutiérrez.

Currently, DEACERO operates with 21 recycling centers, three steel mills, 16 finished product plants , more than 108 distribution centers in North America and 7,500 distributors in Mexico.

With this, DEACERO has an annual steel production capacity of more than 4.5 million tons , more than nine thousand products to satisfy the needs of various sectors.

In this sense, the manager indicated that this model could increase its production to five tons per year.

On the other hand, the company’s production generated a carbon footprint of 0.24 tons of CO2 per ton of steel produced , while the world average is 1.9 tons of CO2 per ton of steel, which means that seven times fewer emissions are produced. than the average.

“The vision of industrial intelligence that we promote not only seeks to promote the growth and development of the economy, but also to do so in a strategic and sustainable manner. It is not about building more infrastructure to be built, but rather developing projects that really add value, that improve the connectivity, efficiency and sustainability of our industrial operations,” said Gutiérrez.

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