The cement industry said the possible imposition of tariffs on Mexican imports by the United States would have adverse consequences for the sector and would put it at a disadvantage compared to countries such as China, Vietnam and Turkey.
The National Chamber of Cement (Canacem) stated in a statement that in a context where economic integration is key to growth and sustainable development, the possible reactivation of these measures, far from promoting greater regional cooperation, “would put us at a clear disadvantage compared to countries such as China, Vietnam and Turkey.”
“This would directly impact the industry’s ability to compete on equal terms and would affect the development of strategic sectors such as construction, whose growth is intrinsically linked to the availability of essential inputs such as cement,” said Canacem .
He mentioned that during 2024, Mexico exported 1.5 million tons of cement to the United States , which represents approximately 7% of the total cement imported by the North American economy, and around 1.4% of its total consumption.
“Any measure limiting this flow of trade would therefore have adverse consequences not only for the cement industry, but for the infrastructure and competitiveness of the United States as a whole,” he said.
For this reason, he considered it imperative to find alternatives that allow strengthening the North American region as one of the most competitive development hubs in the world, and he recognizes and values the efforts of Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, to successfully put on hold the implementation of tariffs by the United States.
He said this action is a step in the right direction to avoid a crisis in regional competitiveness and strengthen North American economic integration.
He said that the current situation presents a great opportunity to explore regional mechanisms that strengthen the bloc’s position, an example of which is the implementation of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which, in addition to encouraging more sustainable production, promotes greater integration and strengthens the regional market.
“The Mexican cement industry declares itself ready to work with our government and our commercial partners to find solutions that promote greater regional integration and sustainable development in Mexico and North America,” he said.
Canacem is made up of Cementos Moctezuma , Cemento Cruz Azul , Cemex México, Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua , Holcim México and Cementos Fortaleza . With an annual production of nearly 47 million tons of cement, it ranks as the 15th global producer and 2nd in the Latin American region.
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