Mexico’s Ministry of Economy has initiated an antidumping investigation into imports of carbon steel plate from Japan following an application from Mexican producer Grupo Acerero, according to a notice published in the country’s Official Gazette.
The investigation covers hot-rolled, non-alloy carbon steel plate in sheets, with a thickness of at least 4.75 mm and a width of at least 600 mm, regardless of length. The product is also commonly referred to as steel plate, heavy plate, medium plate or cut-to-length hot-rolled carbon steel plate.
The investigation covers imports during January-December 2025, while the injury analysis covers the period from January 2023 through December 2025.
Mexico’s authorities said there were sufficient initial indications that Japanese imports were sold at dumped prices. The Ministry compared Japanese domestic prices with export prices and determined that the alleged dumping margin was above the de minimis level.
The investigation was requested by Grupo Acerero, which said Japanese steel plate imports had increased significantly during the period under review while the Mexican market contracted. The Ministry found that Japanese imports increased 35-fold between 2023 and 2025, including a 61pct increase in 2025. Their share of total Mexican steel plate imports rose to 8.3pct in 2025 from 0.2pct in 2023.
The Mexican steel plate industry is represented by Grupo Acerero and Ternium Mexico. The Ministry determined that Grupo Acerero accounted for 62pct of national production during the investigation period and that Ternium supported the application, meaning the request was backed by the entire domestic production of the product under investigation.
The relevant Mexican tariff classifications are 7208.51.04 and 7208.52.01 under the TIGIE. These tariff lines are subject to a 35pct import tariff in Mexico from January 1, 2026, although the antidumping investigation concerns imports made during 2025.