Ezequiel Tavernelli, Executive Director of Alacero, has called for urgent trade defense to protect Latin America’s steel industry from surging unfair imports, particularly from China & Southeast Asia. Speaking on the OPIS Talks podcast, Tavernelli noted the region's manufacturing contribution has declined over 25 years. He emphasized the risk of job losses across a sector that supports 1.4 million people. He believes Latin America has the technology, raw materials, and skilled workforce to become a key supplier to North America, if supported by strong policy interventions.