The Minister of the Economy Marcelo Ebrard said on Thursday that there were “many measures” that Mexico can take in response to the American prices, but he stressed that the federal government will not take them “at a bad time”.
Ebrard addressed journalists from the morning press conference of President Claudia Sheinbaum one day after The United States has imposed prices of 25% on all its imports of steel and aluminum, and on hundreds of products made with these metals.
Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that her government would wait until April 2 to decide whether she would retaliate against these prices and all the others who are applied to Mexican goods. April 2 is the date on which the United States said it would impose reciprocal prices for imports from all its business partners.
Ebrard told journalists to place prices on Mexican steel and aluminum was a “bad idea because the integration of Mexico and the United States … is very high”.
“We are the two most integrated savings,” he said, adding that 25% prices will affect “many industries”.
On Sheinbaum’s instructions, the Ministry of the Economy will start “consultations” on American prices with representatives of the steel, aluminum and Mexico car industries, Ebrard said.
In a word, secretary of the economy @M_ebrard On steel and aluminum prices:
-Trees from tomorrow with affected industries.
-We we will be ready with specific measures in case they are necessary on April 2, but we will not be precipitatingly.
– EU measures announced … https://t.co/pruevusjvb
– Julián Ventura (@juanventurav) March 13, 2025
“We are going to do consultations so that later, according to what the American government announces and what we manage to achieve … (before) on April 2, we can take other measures to defend our businesses,” he said.
“… There are many measures that can be taken, but we are not going to take them at a bad time,” said Ebrard.
“… In summary, we will do the appropriate consultations and we will prepare to use all the instruments we have according to what is advisable for Mexico,” he said.
Ebrard, who was in Washington earlier this week for discussions on prices with the United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lux, said that he had received instructions from Sheinbaum to ensure that Mexico was in a better position “than any other country” after the United States has implemented reciprocal prices on April 2.
“This is the goal because we are very integrated into the United States. We have a certain exceptionality, “he said.
“… We have to achieve the best possible conditions (trading). With what objective? To protect jobs, protect companies and jobs, “said Ebrard. “This is the instruction we have.”
The Minister of the Economy stressed that Mexico will not take any reprisals against the United States until it knows how it is affected by the American reciprocal rates.
Sheinbaum has expressed his confidence that Mexico will avoid additional tasks of its exports to the United States, given that it does not impose rates on the vast majority of imports from the United States
Ebrard said he and other federal government officials have “very intense” talks with their American counterparts in the coming weeks. The Minister of the Economy said that he will highlight “the point of view of Mexico” according to “what I have just told you”.
“Integration (of the United States) with Mexico is exceptional. There is no other country, not even Canada, which has economic integration (with the United States) like between Mexico and the United States, “he said.
Ebrard has already said These Mexican steel prices and aluminum are illogical and “unjustified” since the United States has an excess with Mexico on the trade of these metals.
He said Thursday that the Mexican government would act with “cold blood, resolution and firmness” in talks with the American government in order to reach “the best possible position for Mexico”.
“… I can’t give you details about negotiations. … It would be recklessness because it did not end, ”said Ebrard.
“… Every day, we are in talks. How many meetings have there been? Many, and there will be more. And we are not going to abandon before we realize what President Claudia Sheinbaum has educated us, “he said.
“From my point of view, with the experience I have, this strategy of firmness and cold blood is the best possible strategy, and it obtains results,” said Ebrard.
In previous remarks, the Minister of the Economy said that “without the intervention of President Sheinbaum with President Trump”, all Mexican products would face 25% of prices when they are exported to the United States.
Sheinbaum spoke to Trump last Thursday after which The American president announced That imports from Mexico covered by the USMCA free trade pact would not be subject to American prices before at least early April. The United States had 25% prices imposed on all imports from Mexico And most imports of Canada two days earlier because of what the White House said that the fact that the two countries do not adequately hold the flow of “deadly drugs” like fentanyl in the United States
Trump said that he suspended prices on imports from Mexico covered by the USMCA “as a hint and out of respect for President Sheinbaum”.
Sheinbaum had planned to announce “tariff and non-tariff measures” of reprisals against the general prices of the United States during a rally on the central place of Mexico last Sunday, last Sunday, But she rather pronounced a party address Due to the suspension of tasks.
LITNICK praises Mexico’s restraint after steel prices take effect
In An interview with Bloomberg Television Thursday, Howard Lunick said that in Announce reprisals on American productsEurope and Canada have shown a lack of respect for President Trump and “America’s ability to build its steel and aluminum industry, which is vital for national security”.
On the other hand, Mexico and the United Kingdom were “pragmatic and thoughtful” in response to the prices of steel and aluminum, said the secretary of trade.
Therefore, “the way we are going to treat them will be better,” said Libnick.
In previous remarks, he noted that “the British did not respond” and “the Mexicans did not respond” to the prices – at least not yet.
“You have countries that examine in a thoughtful way how they do business with us,” said Libnick.
It remains to be seen whether Mexico can earn an exemption from steel and aluminum prices, and avoid other additional tasks, due to its strategy to respond and treat its greatest trading partner.
The United States’s trade relations were also in Trump’s mind on Thursday morning.
“The United States has no free trade. We have a “stupid trade”. The whole world snatches us !!! »» He wrote in an article on Truth Social.
“Canada needs America, America does not need Canada,” said Trump in another article, citing a businessman Gut cardone.
American sales officer: “even the USMCA does not work for us now”
In a Interview with Fox News Wednesday, Trump’s main advisor for the trade and manufacture of Peter Navarro targeted the agreement of the United States-Mexico-Canotade, the North American free trade pact that Trump signed in 2018 And who replaced Alena in 2020.
“We have lost 90,000 factories – Alena, WTO, Alena Shafta, even the USMCA does not work for us now because Biden has not applied it,” said Navarro.
Trump said that He wants to renegotiate the terms of the USMCAwhich is reviewed in 2026.
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