Features
Mexico shuts down steel importer amid trade talks
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
June 17, 2025
Mexico’s Ministry of Economy and Finance suspended export programs for LAU Industries of Mexico, a US-based steel importer, after alleging the manufacturer took advantage of a government program to promote trade.
The government shut down two plants and warehouses operated by US-based LAU Industries, formerly Ruskin of Mexico SAPI, according to an announcement by the ministry. The move was made while the country negotiates with Washington for an exemption to the 50% tariff on steel imports into the US.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance suspended the company’s operations in both Monterrey and Ciudad Juárez after detecting that it allegedly imported nearly 400,000 tons of steel products through IMMEX, an import duty deferral program for foreign companies operating in Mexico, during the first quarter. The program failed to record or trace its inputs and allegedly undervalued them, according to a press release from the ministry.
“This increase in the aforementioned company’s steel import volume would represent the total steel imports from all IMMEX programs within the segment, recorded in the same quarter of 2024,” the ministry stated.
The decision was made as part of its Operation Cleanup campaign, which is aimed at seizing unauthorized Asian products being shipped through Mexico to the United States.
Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Read more from Stephanie RitenbaughLatest in Features
Final Thoughts
The big show is here again. SMU Steel Summit begins on Monday. This year, like last year, more than 1,500 people will be joining us. And I couldn’t be more excited to have everyone here in Atlanta.
Price on trade: What a difference a year makes!
As everyone surely knows by now, the SMU Steel Summit starts on Monday in Atlanta, Ga. So, this is a great opportunity to reflect on how much has changed since the 2024 Summit. Certainly, no one could have imagined the wholesale and transformative changes to U.S. and global trade policy.
SMU Survey: Current Sentiment tumbles on tariffs, uncertainty, soft demand
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices moved in opposing directions this week. Our Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index dropped to one of the lowest levels recorded in over five years, while Future Buyers’ Sentiment inched higher.
SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]
Final Thoughts
With SMU Steel Summit starting in just a few days, I decided to go back and do a quick check on where things stand now compared to the week before Summit last year.