Mexico City (AFP) – President Claudia Sheinbaum defended a tariff increase on goods from China and other countries with which Mexico has no trade agreements, saying the measure was intended to strengthen the national economy. Beijing had reacted angrily to Mexico’s Congress on Wednesday approving a tariff rise on imports of automobiles, textiles, clothing, plastics, appliances, and other products — primarily affecting Chinese goods.
The move would “substantially harm the interests of relevant trading partners, including China,” Beijing said Thursday. “China… hopes Mexico will promptly rectify this erroneous practice of unilateralism and protectionism,” a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement. The ministry also noted an ongoing trade barrier investigation China launched against Mexico in September, suggesting a possibility of retaliation.
The changing tariffs, spearheaded by Sheinbaum, will also affect South Korea, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Taiwan, and Brazil. Sheinbaum must ratify the new tariffs — up to 50 percent on some goods, 20 or 35 percent for most — expected to take effect January 1, 2026. She insisted Thursday the measure sought only to strengthen the Mexican economy, highly dependent on the United States.
US President Donald Trump has accused Chinese producers of bypassing tariffs by sending goods northward over the Mexican border, and many have interpreted Sheinbaum’s tariff hike as a capitulation to her powerful northern counterpart. “Our interest is not to generate conflict with any country in the world; we have great respect for China and very good relations with them,” Sheinbaum told reporters Thursday. “The reason for these legal adjustments is to strengthen the national economy,” she said.
Beijing has previously said it opposes any “coercion” to impose restrictions on its exports, and Thursday’s statement urged Mexico to “act with prudence.” Mexico’s Congress passed the measure in a late-night session with 76 votes in favor and five against. Thirty-five senators abstained from voting, arguing the bill was hastily drafted under pressure from Trump at a time when Mexico and Canada are preparing to renegotiate their USMCA free-trade agreement with the United States.
© 2024 AFP
