MEXICO CITY, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro said on Tuesday that Mexico will impose tariffs on steel if the United States enacts such measures first.

Buenrostro said at a news conference that U.S. calls to impose tariffs on steel imports from Mexico have been politically motivated and are not good for commerce.

Buenrostro met virtually earlier this month with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who during the call asked Mexico to address an "ongoing surge" in U.S. steel and aluminum imports from Mexico and said U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs could be reinstated.

The United States has alleged a lack of transparency regarding the country of origin of steel and aluminum products imported from Mexico.

Mexico in recent months has used tariffs to target steel imports from China, which has been accused of selling surplus steel abroad at below-market rates, a practice known as dumping.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/mexico-will-retaliate-if-us-imposes-steel-tariffs-2024-02-27/