According to a statement by Alacero, Latin American Steel Association, the Latin American steel industry demanded urgent action from the Guatemalan authorities in the face of the crisis caused by the disproportionate growth of unfair imports from China and other countries.
On November 14, The Chamber of Industry of Guatemala pointed out in a public announcement that the Guatemalan steel industry has been exposed to China’s bad business practices, generating 395 percent increase in Chinese steel imports in flat products during the period between 2011 and 2017.
Francisco Leal, general director of Alacero, pointed out that the US’ doubling of tariffs on steel imports from Turkey make the country seek place for its products in markets other than the US, putting a red flag for the Latin American steel industry.
Faced with the high risk scenario caused by rising imports in steel industry, Alacero repeated its call to the governments of Latin America, by a statement made on November 19, for coordination with local companies in preventive measures to ensure the fair trade in the steel market.