Antonio Domínguez, Director of Special Projects at the Mexican steelmaker Deacero, warned that the dispute over alleged Asian triangulation puts the competitiveness of Mexican steel plants at risk.

Domínguez explained that business chambers in the United States are seeking to impose a punitive 50% tariff on steel smelted and processed in Mexico. They argue that the country serves as a conduit for triangulating steel of Asian origin.

Some reports show that Mexico's imports of Asian steel have increased from 9 million tons to an estimated 16 or 17 million tons annually, representing a 70% growth. The US argues that most of this volume is being re-exported to its territory, circumventing tariffs of origin.

The director hopes that the Mexican government will use the ongoing dialogue to defuse the threat before the 50% tariff is implemented.