Mexico has initiated Operation Clean Up, under which it has suspended steel import operations and revoked import permits for 350 companies. This action follows the identification of alleged irregularities in the operations of importers. According to Mexican authorities, this initiative is part of a national offensive against smuggling and the misuse of government trade programs, aiming to address significant issues in the country's steel import sector.

The Ministry of Economy, led by Marcelo Ebrard, reported that these 350 companies are part of a larger investigation concerning 750 companies flagged for suspicious activities related to the manufacture and sale of steel products. The inspections for these irregularities have been coordinated with several federal agencies, reinforcing the government's commitment to transparency and legality in trade practices.

Through Operation Clean Up, the government intends to clamp down on activities that undermine fair trade and compliance with regulations. The interdisciplinary approach involving the Ministry of Economy, the Tax Administration Service (SAT), and other federal agencies underscores the seriousness of this crackdown, which aims to instill confidence in the steel industry and promote integrity in governmental trade processes.