US tightens aluminium, steel import rules

Published July 11, 2024
Excess Chinese steel production has led to a surge in imports across several Latin American countries.—Reuters/file
Excess Chinese steel production has led to a surge in imports across several Latin American countries.—Reuters/file

WASHINGTON: The United States unveiled stri­cter rules Wednesday on steel and aluminium imp­orts from Mexico, moving to prevent China-origin goods from avoiding tariffs.

The election-season actions by President Joe Biden’s administration mark the latest in a series of efforts to guard against excess industrial capacity in China, which Wash­ington has warned could bring a flood of unfairly priced goods to other markets.

Steel arriving via Mexico will qualify for duty-free benefits only if melted and poured in that country, or in the United States or Canada, White House National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard told reporters. Otherwise, they will face tariffs of 25 per cent.

Under Biden’s latest proclamation, aluminium imports from Mexico that contain primary aluminium smelt or cast in China, Belarus, Iran or Russia will also face a 10 per cent tariff.

Mexico will require importers to provide information about the products’ countries of origin. This adds to its recent tariff hikes on steel and aluminium from countries it has no free trade agreements with.

“These actions fix a major loophole that the previous administration failed to address, and that countries like China use to avoid US tariffs by shipping their products through Mexico,” Brainard said.

She charged that “Chinese steel and aluminium entering the US market through Mexico evades tariffs, undermines our investments and harms American workers in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.”

As Biden’s reelection bid enters a critical stage, the president has been working to win over voters in swing states including Pennsylvania.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2024

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...