Mexican Senate approves up to 50% tariffs on imports from China, Asian nations

ANKARA/ISTANBUL

Beijing on Thursday urged Mexico to reconsider a proposal on tariff hikes approved by lawmakers, affecting imports from China and other nations in Asia.

The Mexican Senate approved the bill, raising tariffs up to 50%, on Wednesday which takes effect on Jan. 1, targeting more than 1,400 product lines, including automobiles, auto parts, textiles, apparel, steel, plastics, footwear, and appliances.

Countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, such as China, Thailand, India, South Korea, and Indonesia, will be affected by these tariffs.

Amid US pressure and trade tensions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defended the measure, saying it was “taken to support domestic production.”

China's Commerce Ministry described the hikes as "unilateral and protectionist," urging Mexico to reconsider the move, according to a statement released in Beijing.

It said Beijing "consistently opposes unilateral tariff increases in any form."

"China attaches great importance to China-Mexico economic and trade relations," said the ministry.

"Against the backdrop of a complex and volatile international situation and the looming shadow of trade protectionism, China hopes that Mexico will work with China to strengthen communication and dialogue in the economic and trade field, properly manage differences."

The ministry added that "to safeguard the interests of relevant Chinese industries," it had initiated a trade and investment barrier investigation against Mexico at the end of September, and the "investigation is currently ongoing."

According to World Trade Organization data sourced from the UN, Mexico's imports from China totaled $129.79 billion last year, while its exports to China reached $9.08 billion, yielding a bilateral trade volume of approximately $138.87 billion.

The decision comes as US President Donald Trump, on Dec. 8, threatened 5% tariffs on Mexican exports, in a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social.

Trump had cited an ongoing water-sharing dispute under the 1944 treaty, demanding Mexico release 200,000 acre-feet of water by year-end to ease shortages in the US state of Texas.

The US remains Mexico's top trading partner at $334 billion in annual trade.