May 6, 2025 (press release) –
Speaking during the annual President’s Award Breakfast at AISTech 2025, Vedoya said China’s nonmarket economy model and unfair trade practices have fractured the global playing field and have put all other countries at risk.
“This is an enormous challenge for us, and it is such a big challenge that we cannot address it in isolation,” he said. Vedoya’s comment came as he accepted AIST’s 2025 Steelmaker of the Year award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the organization.
Vedoya was recognized for his leadership of the North American and South American steel producer, which, under his watch, is expanding operations.
In Mexico, the company is undertaking a transformative project at its industrial center in Pesquería. There, the company is building a state-of-the-art direct reduced iron-electric arc furnace slab plant that will produce 2.6 million metric tons annually. It also is expanding its downstream capabilities, adding a cold mill, hot-dip galvanizing line and push-pull pickling line.
A state-of-the-art hot rolling mill was started in 2021.
Vedoya said that as excited as the company is about the project, it remains well aware of the current trade tensions. Given the landscape, countries must cooperate, he said, arguing for a collaboration between different countries that share the same vision and values.
“The USMCA is probably a good start,” he said, but it should be enhanced in a way that guarantees resilience, promotes growth, defends home markets and protects the millions of job that depend on regional industry.
Vedoya also pointed out that there is a US$40 billion trade deficit between the USMCA countries and Asia.
“This is where our greatest opportunity lies – in reducing that trade deficit by reshoring production and expanding intraregional trade."
AISTech 2025 is taking place this week in Nashville, Tenn., USA. Check back with AIST Steel News for more updates.
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