MEXICO CITY, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Mexico is negotiating with the United States to avert a 25-percent tariff on its steel and aluminum exports, set to take effect on Wednesday, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Friday.

"We need to reach an agreement on steel and aluminum," Ebrard said at a daily press briefing at Mexico's National Palace.

He contended that Mexico imports more U.S. steel and aluminum than it exports, making the proposed tariffs unjustified.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 10 to impose a 25-percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, citing a trade deficit in the sector. However, Mexican officials have pushed back, arguing that the United States recorded a surplus of 6.9 billion U.S. dollars in steel and aluminum trade with Mexico in 2024.

On Thursday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Trump agreed to temporarily delay broader tariffs on Mexican products until April 2. The U.S. president has linked the potential tariffs to concerns over irregular migration and fentanyl trafficking.

Ebrard noted that the tariff suspension applies to Mexican exports that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, covering more than half of bilateral trade. Enditem

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