Mexico's government has raised concerns about the fairness of the 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on its steel and aluminium imports, highlighting that Mexico buys more steel from the US than it exports to its northern neighbour.

The country's Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard described the tariffs as unfair and unjustified, noting that the US has a trade surplus in steel and aluminium with Mexico.

During a regular government press conference, Ebrard pointed to data showing that steel exports from Mexico to the US have declined since 2022, while Mexico's imports of US steel have increased over the same period.

"That tariff is not justified. It's unfair, according to President Trump's own arguments. Because we, I repeat, have more (steel) imports than exports," Ebrard said.

Later on Tuesday, Mexico's steel chamber Canacero cautioned that the US tariffs would negatively impact the local industry and disrupt supply chains across North America. The chamber called for retaliatory tariffs on US steel if Mexican exports are not exempt from the duties, Reuters reports.

Canacero urged Mexican authorities to protect the national industry, stating that the proposed tariffs could affect three-quarters of Mexican steel exports, valued at $2.1 billion.

Nearly a quarter of all steel used in the US is imported, with Mexico being one of its largest suppliers, alongside Canada and Brazil.

On Monday, Trump increased tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to a flat 25%, "without exceptions or exemptions," aiming to support struggling US industries.

However, this move risks escalating a trade war with Mexico, the US's top trading partner. The steel and aluminium tariffs are scheduled to take effect on 12th March.

In addition, a separate, previously paused 25% tariff on all US imports from Mexico and Canada is set to be implemented on 4th March.

Ebrard did not specify whether Mexico intended to impose reciprocal tariffs on US steel or aluminium.

He stated that he plans to speak next week with the US Commerce Secretary and the US Trade Representative, pending their Senate confirmations.

The latest Trump tariff announcement mirrors the duties he imposed on metals during his previous term, from which Mexico was later exempt.

At that time, those tariffs led to higher prices for finished cross-border trade goods that use these metals, such as autos and appliances.