Mexico's government on Tuesday questioned the fairness of a 25% tariff ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump on its steel and aluminum imports, stressing that Mexico buys more steel from the U.S. than it exports to its northern neighbor.

Mexican officials hope to reach a compromise with the Trump administration before tariffs are enforced on March 12

Trump has said higher tariffs would spur companies to create more auto sector jobs in the U.S. — but economists are skeptical.