The main steel producing companies, affiliated with the Mexican Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero), joined the US interoperability pilot program with customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the steel issue.
"Arcelormittal, Deacero, Gerdau, TenarisTAMSA, Ternium and Outokumpu began the process of joining the CBP pilot program for the traceability of steel imported by the United States from Mexico," Canacero reported on one of its social networks.
With interoperability testing, CBP aims to establish global standards to foster transparency and a standard form of communication between the private sector and government agencies.
CBP's recent test focused on the oil pipeline and steel industry supply chains, involving some of the largest companies in both industries.
The issue of Mexican steel exported to the United States became relevant because some US congressmen have indicated that given the explosive growth of Mexican exports, they should restore the tariff decreed in March 2018 of 25 percent to Mexican steel for reasons of national security under the so-called Section 232.
According to Canacero, the CBP program aims to convert the review at its customs into a more expeditious and paperless process, and at the same time will allow them to be certain that the Mexican steel that is exported complies with all legal considerations, particularly those associated with origin, ensuring compliance with supply chains.