Mexico Hikes Tariffs to 50% on Chinese Imports

MEXICO CITY — The federal government has announced an increase in tariffs of up to 50 percent on imported products of Asian origin, primarily from China, with the objective of substituting imports and protecting the national industry, the Secretariat of Economy reported this Tuesday.

Among the most affected sectors are auto parts, light vehicles, apparel, steel products, textiles, paper, cardboard, glass, soaps, perfumes, and cosmetics. Additionally, tariffs of 35 percent are contemplated for motorcycles, plastics, home appliances, toys, furniture, footwear, leather goods, aluminum, and trailers.

With this adjustment, Mexico would raise tariffs to the "maximum level permitted by the World Trade Organization (WTO)," according to the head of the Secretariat of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, who detailed that the measure is part of the 2026 Economic Package and must be approved by the Congress of the Union.

Currently, the products included in this proposal cover 1,463 tariff lines across 19 strategic sectors, with current import rates ranging from 0 percent to 35 percent. The volume of these imports amounted to 52 billion dollars, representing 8.6 percent of total purchases from abroad.

"That is directed at products we bring in from countries with which we do not have free trade agreements, because when you have a free trade agreement you cannot impose a tariff like that," explained Ebrard after participating in the delivery of the Light Sport Aircraft Type Certificate to the Horizontec CRT-1041/2025.

The secretary affirmed that the primary objective is to protect key industrial sectors, such as the automotive industry, which represents 23 percent of national manufacturing, as well as the auto parts industry, considered one of the most relevant in the country.

"We are receiving light vehicles at below-inventory prices. This is a strategy to gain market share," he warned.

Ebrard specified that vehicles of Chinese origin already face a 20 percent tariff, but this will be raised to 50 percent under this new commercial policy. He assured that the measure also seeks to protect sectors such as steel, textiles, footwear, plastics, electronics, furniture, trailers, glass, and cosmetics.

If approved by Congress, the decree would take effect 30 natural days after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation, as stipulated in the 2026 Economic Package document.

During the same event, Marcelo Ebrard highlighted the certification of the light aircraft developed by Horizontec, a project that has been in development for 11 years and is manufactured in Celaya, Guanajuato. According to the official, this aircraft is lighter, features technological innovation, and has lower costs when compared to used models like the Cessna.