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ArcelorMittal views May as critical to new Brazil investment decisions

As it nears the end of the current investment cycle, the month of May is crucial for ArcelorMittal in deciding whether or not it will make new investments in Brazil.

ArcelorMittal is considering its next move in light of the approaching deadline for the extension trade protection measures implemented by the Brazilian Government and the import tariffs imposed by U.S. president Donald Trump.

Steelmakers have complained for years about unfair competition in Latin America’s largest economy. They claim that China floods their market with cheap materials and call on the government to take more action to limit these imports.

In April 2024, the Brazilian government raised the import tariff for some steel products from 10% to 25%, and adopted some import quotas that are free of surcharge. This measure is set to be renewed by the end this month.

Steelmakers criticized the increase as being insufficient.

"We will finish an investment cycle worth 25 billion reais in this year, and we have ambitions for at least 10 billion more in the next few years," said ArcelorMittal Brazil's head, Jorge Oliveira. He was referring to two cycles, one which began in 2022, and another that would last until 2029.

The impact of imports runs contrary to any group's investment appetite.

Oliveira stated that ArcelorMittal could postpone, or even cancel, investments up to 4 billion Reais announced in February for the Tubarao steel plant in Espirito Santo.

The project would have two effects: a postponement of the start date and an even worse outcome, the cancellation. Oliveira stated that we are in a critical period, citing possible consequences of not extending the measures approved last summer.

The executive stated that they expect the government to extend these measures "at least", but have been discussing alternative ways to strengthen them, as the existing ones "were insufficient".

Gerdau, Usiminas, and CSN are also large steelmakers in Brazil. (Reporting and writing by Alberto Alerigi Jr., Gabriel Araujo, Edward Tobin).

(source: Reuters)