The wait (and skepticism) for tariffs
President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed what many in the sector already suspected: there are rumors that Washington could review the very high taxes on Mexican steel and aluminum. But, as is often the case with these news stories, the devil is in the details. Or rather, in the lack of them.
“We have been reading and they mentioned something to Secretary Ebrard. We still don’t have anything very concrete”
There you have it. The classic formula of “they told us something, but we have nothing official.” Sheinbaum admitted that Marcelo Ebrard, head of Economy, received these comments from the US government. The problem is that in commercial diplomacy, until it is signed and sealed, everything is smoke.
The curious thing is the timing. Why now? Is it a gesture prior to the elections in November? A subtle pressure? The president was careful: she said that Mexico has been asking for this review for years.
The real cost of a 50% tariff
Sheinbaum put his finger on the sore spot by remembering the key figure: 50%. That’s the brutal current rate. It’s not just a number on a piece of paper.
“Many of these tariffs have a great impact on Americans because they raise prices and increase inflation”
Here’s the interesting thing. Instead of staying in the victimist discourse, he pointed out how these taxes also take their toll on the northern economy. It’s a game where everyone loses.
The damage goes beyond pure metal. It affects derivative products that are already integrated into complete equipment and production chains. A logistical and economic disaster.
The official position is one of cautious optimism. “It would be very good,” Sheinbaum repeated. But between the lines you read something else: we have heard promises before. Until there is a document with letterhead and signature, this remains another chapter in the long business romance between two neighbors with a short memory for broken agreements.
