Government/Policy
March 6, 2026
Mexico suspends import activity for 350 steel companies, begins bilateral USMCA talks with US
Written by Laura Miller
Mexico’s Secretary of Economy is conducting “Operation Clean-Up,” inspecting what it says are suspicious steel companies to verify compliance with rules-of-origin requirements.
Mexico’s national steel association, CANACERO, provided a list of 750 companies with “alleged irregular activities” throughout the country.
After inspection, the Secretary of Economy identified and suspended import activities for 350 of those. The rest are still under analysis, according to the Ministry of the Economy.
Mexico’s government thinks these actions reaffirm its commitment to securing supply chains and fighting smuggling and other illegal activities.
USMCA talks begins
Separately, Mexico and the US have begun bilateral discussions in preparation for the upcoming joint review of the USMCA.
Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the first round of discussions on Thursday.
Negotiators will hold their first meeting the week of March 16 and meet regularly thereafter.
The secretary instructed negotiators “to begin discussions on measures needed to ensure that the benefits of the trade agreement accrue primarily to the parties, including reducing dependence on imports from other regions, strengthening rules of origin, and reinforcing the security of North American supply chains.”
