EXHIBIT 99.5 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the use in this Annual Report on Form 40-F of our report dated January 24, 2003, except for certain information contained in notes 3 and 20, as to which the date is April 4, 2003, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Gerdau AmeriSteel Corporation, which appear in Exhibit 99.2 of this Form 40-F. We also consent to the use in this Annual Report on Form 40-F of our Comments by Auditors for United States of America Readers on Canada - United States of America Reporting Differences dated January 24, 2003. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Orlando, Florida January 24, 2003