China Calls on Mexico to Reconsider Tariffs on its Products

ByMexico Solidarity

This article originally appeared in the December 11, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Beijing. China’s Ministry of Commerce called the tariff measures approved by Mexico on Wednesday erroneous and expressed hope that the country would rectify them.

“China has always opposed all unilateral tariff increases and hopes that Mexico will promptly rectify these erroneous practices of unilateralism and protectionism. To safeguard the interests of relevant Chinese industries, the Ministry of Commerce initiated an investigation into trade and investment barriers related to Mexico at the end of September, in accordance with the law, and this investigation is currently underway,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated.

The spokesman indicated that the proposal approved yesterday introduces some adjustments to the September version, “with moderate reductions in the proposed tariff rates for certain products such as auto parts, light consumer goods, textiles and clothing,” but noted that “these measures will continue to substantially harm the interests of the affected trading partners, including China.”

On December 10, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies approved amendments to the General Import and Export Tax Law, establishing tariffs of up to 35 percent by 2026 on thousands of products, including automobiles, auto parts, textiles, clothing, plastics, and steel from China, South Korea, India, and other Asian nations that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico. The reform aims to raise nearly $52 billion in tariffs on these imports.

The government argues that the tariffs aim to strengthen domestic production and address trade imbalances with China.

According to forecasts, the tariff increase will serve as a basis for the future review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) scheduled for 2026.

The United States demands that Canada and Mexico prevent the use of free trade in North America as an export base for China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries.

“China welcomes countries resolving their trade differences through economic and trade agreements, but no agreement should be conditioned on affecting the development of global trade or harming China’s legitimate interests. We hope Mexico will pay close attention to this matter and act prudently,” the spokesperson commented.