Russia Eyes Mexico’s Tariff Hike on Imports

Moscow, Russia — Russia is analyzing the Mexican government's plans to raise tariffs on imports of Russian products from the current 20 percent to 50 percent in 2026, the Russian ambassador to the Latin American country, Nikolái Sofinski, confirmed.

"The mentioned plan of the Mexican authorities was announced recently. Russia is studying this matter and it will be given due attention," the diplomat stated to Sputnik.

Last Thursday, the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed her project to increase tariffs on imports from Russia, China, and other countries from the current 20 percent to 50 percent in 2026.

The president added that the new tariffs contained in the 2026 Economic Package, sent to Congress on September 8, are part of the "Plan Mexico" to attract foreign and national investments that will advance the second-largest Latin American economy from 12th to 10th place globally by 2030.

The new level of import taxes, which must be approved by the Legislative Power in October, would be applied to countries such as China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand, according to the federal government's revenue and expenditure project for next year, as explained by the Secretariat of Economy.

The federal Secretariat of Economy disseminated a list of 19 import sectors and more than 1,400 new "tariff fractions," which include cars, clothing, plastic, manufactured products, aluminum, and glass, among others, originating from China and other nations without a free trade agreement with the North American country.

The Mexican president asserted that the measures are within the established rules of the World Trade Organization that allow for raising import tariffs up to certain limits.

Sheinbaum denied that her new commercial policy is related to negotiations with her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, who is threatening to impose 30 percent tariffs on Mexican exports.