Latin American Steel Industry Demands Unified Trade Defense Against Chinese Imports

Steel Industry in Latin America Calls for Stronger Trade Measures Amid Chinese Import Surge

Latin American steelmakers are urging regional governments to act together in defending against rising steel imports, especially from China. At a recent event, Ezequiel Tavernelli, Executive Director of the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero), emphasized that Latin America remains one of the regions most affected by Chinese steel.

Despite the long-standing threat, Latin America has taken fewer trade defense actions over the past 25 years than other global regions. As a result, the region’s steel value chain has weakened, impacting production, jobs, and economic contribution.

Delays in Trade Defense Leave Region Vulnerable

Tavernelli highlighted the slow response time in Latin America when implementing trade defense measures. The average timeframe in the region is between 18 and 28 months. By contrast, developed nations like the United States can act in just 8 to 10 months.

He warned that this delay further accelerates deindustrialization. Over the last 25 years, the region has lost four percentage points of industrial GDP. Exports of industrial goods have dropped by five percentage points. Tavernelli stressed the need for integration and a unified industrial strategy across the continent.

Mexico Urges Stronger Tariffs and Legal Action

Victor Cairo, President of Canacero (Mexican Chamber of Steel), stressed the urgency of closing borders to unfairly priced Chinese and Southeast Asian steel. He cited national security provisions under Article 29 of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to justify stricter measures.

Canacero also proposed revising temporary import systems to prevent circumvention practices like product triangulation. Meanwhile, Mexico continues to combat illegal steel imports and aims to boost domestic production in response to US tariff policies.

At SuperMetalPrice, we are monitoring these developments closely as they may significantly affect steel pricing trends across Latin America and beyond.