Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

Mexico hits U.S. steel and farm products with tariffs, retaliating for Trump move

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
A man works in a steel distribution factory in Monterrey in northern Mexico last week, when the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum took effect.
A man works in a steel distribution factory in Monterrey in northern Mexico last week, when the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum took effect.
Julio Cesar Aguilar

Updated at 9:14 a.m. ET

Mexico is putting tariffs on imports of U.S. steel and farm products — including pork, cheese, apples and potatoes — as it hits back at the U.S. for the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminum products from Mexico, Canada and the European Union.

Signed by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, the decree also suspends the country's preferential tariff treatment of the U.S. It was published in Mexico's official gazette on Tuesday.

The list of U.S. agricultural products, nearly all of which will be subject to taxes of 15 percent to 25 percent, also includes Tennessee or bourbon whiskey and cranberries.

U.S. steel products on the list include steel plates, bars and rods, along with rolled steel. The list also includes motorboats.

The move comes one day after Mexico's Economy Ministry said it will start proceedings against the U.S. in the World Trade Organization, where it's seeking a dispute settlement over the U.S. tariffs on Mexican products — 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum — formally took effect last Friday.

Canada and the European Union have protested along with Mexico and are also pursuing tariffs and cases against the U.S. at the WTO.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel "unacceptable." As NPR's Brian Naylor reported, Trudeau also tweeted that Canada will take retaliatory measures effective July 1 on products ranging from steel to whiskey.

And shortly after the U.S. tariffs took effect last week, Europe's top trade commissioner said the EU also will now consider "rebalancing measures."

"We are not seeking to escalate any situation, but not responding would be the same as accepting these tariffs, which we consider are illegal," Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said. Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.