Steelmakers from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay have urged the European Union (UE)-Mercosur negotiations to set specific rules of origin for the steel exported out of these countries, Mercofer, a trade group made up of Mercosur steelmakers, said in an open letter.
The letter was signed by Sergio Leite, Usiminas’ CEO, and Mercofer’s president. Martin Berardi, CEO at Argentina’s Ternium Siderar, also signed the letter.
In the document, Mercofer asks local steel products falling under the 72 and 73 chapters of the UE’s Community's Customs Code to benefit from Mercosur-specific requisites.
Mercofer argued it’s contradictory that talks toward the economic complementation of both blocs adopt rules of origin that may favor non-Mercosur members.