Mexico’s Ministry of Economy has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Japanese-origin steel plate. According to the resolution published in Mexico’s Official Gazette on September 2, 2026, the investigation covers hot-rolled, non-alloy and uncoated steel plate originating in Japan and imported into Mexico, regardless of the country of shipment.
The investigation was launched following an application filed by Grupo Acerero S.A. de C.V. on April 21, 2026. The company alleged that Japanese-origin imports entered Mexico at dumped prices in 2025 and caused material injury to the domestic industry. After reviewing the information and evidence submitted with the application, the Ministry determined that there were sufficient grounds to initiate the investigation.
Scope of the investigation
The product under investigation consists of hot-rolled, non-alloy and uncoated steel plate with a thickness of at least 4.75 mm and a width of at least 600 mm. The products are imported under Mexico’s tariff classifications 7208.51.04 and 7208.52.01, together with the corresponding NICO codes. The Ministry’s resolution also notes that a 35% import duty has been applicable to these two tariff classifications since January 1, 2026.
Imports from Japan increased 35-fold
According to the Mexican Ministry of Economy’s assessment, imports of Japanese-origin steel plate increased 35-fold between 2023 and 2025. Imports rose 21-fold in 2024 and increased by a further 61% in 2025.
Japan’s share of total imports rose from 0.2% in 2023 to 8.3% in 2025. Over the same period, the share of Japanese-origin material in Mexico’s steel plate consumption increased from 0.1% to 4.5%.
In contrast, imports from sources other than Japan declined by 35% between 2023 and 2025. Mexico’s total steel plate imports also fell by 29% over the same period. The Ministry highlighted that imports from Japan increased, unlike imports from other supply sources.
Domestic sales and production declined
The resolution states that Mexico’s steel plate market contracted between 2023 and 2025. Apparent national consumption (CNA), a key indicator of domestic demand, declined by 29% over the period, while domestic production fell by 31%.
Grupo Acerero and Ternium México were identified as the Mexican producers of steel plate similar to the product under investigation. Grupo Acerero accounted for 56% of national production during the period under review and 62% in 2025. With Ternium supporting the application, the application was deemed to represent 100% of total domestic production.
Total sales by domestic producers declined by 32% between 2023 and 2025, while domestic sales fell by 30%. Production decreased by 26% over the same period. Capacity utilization declined from 48% in 2023 to 35% in 2025.
Mexico also assessed Japan’s excess steel plate capacity
The Mexican Ministry of Economy also examined Japan’s production capacity in the steel plate sector. According to the resolution, Japan’s steel plate production capacity declined by 7% between 2023 and 2025, from 16.4 million tonnes to 15.2 million tonnes. Production decreased from 9.6 million tonnes to 8.8 million tonnes, while consumption fell from 7.6 million tonnes to 7.1 million tonnes.
Nevertheless, Japan’s available capacity in 2025 was calculated at 6.4 million tonnes. The Ministry noted that this volume was more than 16 times Mexico’s domestic production and more than seven times its national consumption during the same period.
Japan’s export potential, calculated based on the gap between production capacity and domestic consumption, stood at 8.1 million tonnes in 2025. This volume was more than 20 times Mexico’s domestic production and more than nine times its national consumption.
Parties given 23 business days to respond
The Mexican Ministry of Economy designated 2025 as the period of investigation, while the period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025 was established as the injury analysis period.
Domestic producers, importers, exporters and other parties with a legal interest in the investigation have been granted 23 business days to submit their comments, arguments and supporting evidence.
The resolution entered into force following its publication in the Official Gazette (DOF).
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