In response to the introduction of a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, Mike Ireland, president and CEO of the Portland Cement Association, commented: “The US cement industry would like to work with the Administration to address federal laws and regulations that prevent American cement companies from increasing production, making it necessary for the US to import some 20 per cent of its total cement consumption annually — including from Canada and Mexico.
“US cement manufacturers, who provide the materials for America’s vast infrastructure and will have an essential role in helping to manifest the President’s vision of improved border and energy security, believe the right tax, regulatory and permitting environment will lead to more investments in US cement production,” he added.
Canada and Mexico account for 27 per cent of US cement imports and nearly seven per cent of US cement consumption. In 2023 the country imported 5Mt of cement from Canada and 2Mt from Mexico. Canadian imports enter through New York (28 per cent), Washington (14 per cent) and New England (11 per cent) with the balance spread across Montana, North Dakota and other Great Lakes states. Canadian imports account for up to 36 per cent of the cement consumption in these states. Mexican cement is imported through Texas (30 per cent) and Arizona (30 per cent), followed by California (20 per cent) and Florida (20 per cent). They represent five per cent of cement demand in these states.
