Mexico seeks to curb the impact of aluminum tariffs with an alliance in North America.

Monterrey, NL. Mexico faces a 50% tariff under Clause 232, which has directly affected the aluminum industry , with differentiated impacts. Therefore, Eugenio Clariond, president of the Mexican Aluminum Institute (IMEDAL), commented that this Tuesday, September 9, he will meet with Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard and the president of the Aluminum Association of the United States to forge an alliance that will benefit the sector in the three North American countries.

After the inauguration of ALUMEXICO Summit & Expo 2025, Eugenio Clariond told the local press that this tariff "has definitely affected us in terms of the products we export. The more added value the product has, the less impact it has, but there are products with greater complexity, such as ladders, that are not manufactured in the United States, and our main competitor is also in Mexico, so there (in North America) the consumer has to absorb that impact."

There are other products, such as aluminum profiles, that don't have as much added value, "which, at 50%, would put us out of the market."

The impact must be assessed on a case-by-case basis and by subsector, such as sheet metal, castings, and casting parts. Depending on each sector and where they are directed, it may be greater or lesser, but there is an impact, he stated.

Although he did not specify how this situation has affected them in terms of staff reductions or reduced production, he said they have adjusted work shifts and implemented new technologies such as artificial intelligence in some administrative areas to improve efficiency.

"We believe that it is a temporary issue, very complex, and it will take time to resolve."

"The United States and Canada produce only 30% of the primary aluminum the region requires. We can't completely cut ourselves off from imports, but we must prioritize strategic partners and reduce dependence on Asia or Russia," he explained.

They expect a reduction in tariffs

Given the possible scenarios, the most positive would be to exempt Mexico from the aluminum tariff, as occurred during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term in 2019.

However, "to be honest, we find it difficult to reach that level. What we would hope for is to drop from 50% to 10% or 15% and then see how we align and strengthen the advantages we have: the United States needs us, but we need it because it is our main consumer," said Eugenio Clariond, also CEO of Grupo Cuprum.

USMCA: An opportunity to rethink clear rules

The leader considered that the United States' argument for imposing tariffs on aluminum should not necessarily be based on national security.

"How could an aluminum window or a ladder affect the security of the United States? It's a formula they found to impose tariffs, but we need to respond surgically: protecting ourselves from China, yes, but also strengthening what we can produce in the region," he emphasized.

Therefore, the USMCA review will be a key opportunity to rethink these mechanisms and build clearer rules that strengthen the industries of Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

He also called on the Mexican government to increase the participation of domestic suppliers in infrastructure and public works projects, while also working to curb unfair imports from Asia, for example in the recent Saltillo-Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo train project.

Call to seek elimination of clause 232

After inaugurating the ALUMEXICO Summit & Expo 2025 , the governor of Nuevo León, Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda, assured that the state will work with the federal government to have the United States government eliminate clause 232 related to tariffs, which affects the steel and aluminum industries.

During his address, the state leader, who was accompanied by Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez, Undersecretary of Foreign Trade of the Federal Ministry of Economy, added that Nuevo León can also work together with ALUMEXICO, CAINTRA, and the chambers to present long-term proposals.

"Today, 95% of our exporting companies do so under the USMCA, 10 points above the national average of 85%. However, we know that Nuevo León industries, such as steel and aluminum, have been affected by these taxes under an exception to this famous clause 232, which, although unfair, is still in effect. We have been considering what the state government can do to ensure that companies like these Monterrey companies: Nemak, Ternium, Cuprum, among others, can resist. I say can resist because this is an unusual market imbalance that will be corrected," the state leader anticipated.

"Count on Nuevo León, count on us to set up committees, we're ready for Nuevo León to support this regional vision (of North America). I think that's our goal. Together with Canadians and Americans, we can make a strong case to convince the American government to remove this clause and ensure that, as has always been the case over the past 30 years, steel, aluminum, and other products no longer have this tariff," said García Sepúlveda.