Brazilian Semifinished Steel Won't Be Subject to Mexican Melt and Pour Rule

Brazil, the largest exporter of semifinished steel to Mexico after the U.S., won't be subject to the melted and poured restriction the two countries recently announced, the Mexican government disclosed last week. Aluminum cast in Brazil and steel melted and poured there won't be subject to Section 232 tariffs if they are processed in Mexico and exported to the U.S.

The original announcement (see 2407100005) had not mentioned this carve-out.

The U.S. also traditionally has been a major importer of semifinished steel from Brazil, but since the Section 232 action, those imports are subject to a quota (see 2009010035 and 1805020037).