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Measure May Directly Affect Automobiles, Textiles, and Plastics, and Is Part of a Large Initiative to Reduce Dependence on Chinese Supply Chains.
Mexico is preparing for a significant increase in import tariffs on products from China. The proposal, which could mark one of the sharpest trade changes in the country, responds to a request from U.S. authorities and is expected to be submitted to the Mexican Congress next month as part of the 2026 budget.
U.S. Pressure for a “North American Fortress”
Officials in Washington advocate for the measure. The goal is to strengthen U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to build a “North American Fortress”. The strategy seeks to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.
Trump criticizes what he calls “loopholes” in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which allow Chinese products to enter the United States. During his campaign, he harshly criticized Chinese automakers that set up factories in Mexico to export vehicles to the American market. “I told them: ‘If you do this, we will impose tariffs of 200%, 250%. You will never sell a single car in this country,’” he stated.
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The Impact of Chinese Trade on the Mexican Economy
Mexico’s imports from China exceeded US$ 51 billion last year. This amount represents nearly one-fifth of all external purchases by the country. The rapid growth has made Mexico the primary foreign market for Chinese vehicles.
However, this expansion has generated complaints from local manufacturers. They point to unfair competition from subsidized products. The new planned tariffs could eventually be extended to other Asian nations, but the main focus remains on China.
Previous Measures and the Strategy of the “Plan Mexico”
The proposal is based on existing actions to restrict Chinese e-commerce. Since January, the Mexican government has imposed taxes on low-value orders from platforms such as Shein and Temu, which now reach 33.5%.
The new tariffs are being incorporated into the “Plan Mexico”. This is a broader strategy to expand industrial parks and direct public investments towards manufacturing. Additionally, the government aims to increase revenue as it faces a 5.9% budget deficit of GDP in 2024, the largest in over three decades.
The Position of China and Next Steps in Congress
The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the plan. Spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the country “strongly opposes coercive measures to restrict China.” He added that Beijing hopes that Mexico “maintains its independence and properly handles relevant matters.”
The final details of the tariffs have yet to be defined. The budget proposal will be presented to the Mexican Congress on September 8. Legislators will debate the package in the coming months, determining the future of the trade relationship between the country and China.
