Overview
- Decree 726/2025 sets a 0% export duty for a defined list of steel and aluminum NCM codes when shipments go to countries that levy import tariffs of at least 45%.
- The measure applies to exports from October 9 and runs until December 31, 2025, or ends earlier if destination tariffs drop below the threshold.
- The Production Coordination Secretariat will issue implementing rules and must notify ARCA of the countries that qualify under the ≥45% tariff condition.
- Analysts link the move to U.S. duties near 50% and to ongoing Argentina–U.S. trade talks, with roughly $600 million in annual metal exports and companies such as Aluar and Techint affected.
- In parallel, the European Commission has proposed steel import tariffs of up to 50%—a plan welcomed by Eurofer—highlighting tighter global protection for metal trade.