Mexican import taxes on greater than 1,400 merchandise from China and different Asian international locations can be as excessive as 50%, because the nation tries to shore up home manufacturing and cross on among the Trump administration’s tariff ache.
President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned the tariffs revealed a day earlier in her administration’s finances proposal are meant to counter the results of U.S. tariffs on some merchandise from Mexico, significantly within the automotive sector, which accounts for 23% of Mexico’s manufacturing.
Among the merchandise that can face the import taxes are gentle autos, auto components, textiles, sneakers, plastics, electronics, toys and different objects.
The finances is anticipated to cross simply by Mexico’s Congress, the place the governing celebration holds majorities in each chambers.
Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard mentioned on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) that the tariffs can be utilized to 8.6% of what Mexico buys overseas and apply solely to international locations that shouldn’t have free trade agreements with Mexico.
The listed merchandise have already got a mean 16% tariff, however Ebrard mentioned they might be raised to the utmost permitted by worldwide agreements.
China would be the most affected as Mexico imported $130 billion value of merchandise from the nation in 2024, second solely to the what Mexico purchased from the United States. Other prime international locations hit can be South Korea, Thailand, India, Philippines and Indonesia.
Mexico has been below strain from the Trump administration to restrict Chinese imports, a few of which the U.S. has alleged use Mexico as a backdoor to the U.S. market.
“What Mexico is looking for right now are reductions or exemptions to the tariffs they’re paying (to the U.S.),” mentioned Oscar Ocampo, a researcher on the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness.
Mexico continues making an attempt to negotiate its method out of these tariffs — significantly that of 25% on the automotive sector and 50% on metal and aluminum — even because it prepares together with Canada and the United States for a revision of their free trade settlement.
Mexico’s new tariffs on its Asian trade companions might strengthen its hand in talks with Washington, Ocampo mentioned. “Will it be enough or not? It’s impossible to know,” he mentioned.
Ms. Sheinbaum, who met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio final week in Mexico City, says the tariffs aren’t the results of U.S. strain, however quite are geared toward spurring home manufacturing.
Her administration argues that the merchandise focused, like Chinese vehicles, are bought under market costs.
Last month, Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese authorities, criticized the rumored Mexican tariffs.
“China firmly opposes restrictions imposed on China under various pretexts and under coercion from others, which harm China’s legitimate rights and interests,” he mentioned.
Mr. Ocampo mentioned that in contrast to the U.S. tariffs, Mexico is saying clearly that it’s following worldwide trade tips.
