Mexico’s steel association, Canacero, demanded more duties on imported steel, which comes mainly from China, as a way to protect the local steel industry and boost production.
In the opening of the 5th Mexican Steel Congress, Canacero’s president, Guillermo Vogel, said Mexican steel imports declined 12 percent in H1, year-on-year, to 4.8 million mt, thanks mainly to AD measures applied by the Mexican government on foreign steel.
While Mexican imports diminished, domestic steel output rose 8 percent in the same period, year-on-year, according to media reports citing Canacero’s data.
Apparent steel consumption in the Jan-July period reportedly grew 1 percent to 15.7 million mt, according to Vogel.
Vogel said that despite the government help, Mexico needs to keep existing duties and include other products that were left out. Not doing so would mean Mexico could lose much of what it has earned so far, Vogel said.