Mexico finds Chinese rubber dumping, moves to impose permanent duty

Mexico has slapped a permanent duty on Chinese imports of specialised synthetic rubber, saying a surge of low-priced shipments of the material used in a wide array of products weakened its only producer at a time when the government is stepping up trade defences to protect local industries and manage rising friction with Beijing.

The Economy Ministry said that imports of styrene butadiene styrene, known as SBS, will face a specific charge of US$0.8324 per kilogram.

SBS is a thermoplastic rubber made by linking blocks of the chemicals styrene and butadiene. It performs like elastic rubber but can be melted and reshaped like plastic, which makes it useful in shoe soles, adhesives, roofing materials and road asphalt that must withstand heat and pressure.

The ruling comes against the backdrop of escalating trade friction between the two countries. In September, Beijing condemned a separate Mexican proposal to raise import tariffs on automobiles and other goods from countries without trade agreements, a plan that would directly affect Chinese exporters.

At the time, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry Lin Jian said China opposed measures “taken under coercion to constrain China or undermine China’s legitimate rights and interests” and warned that it would protect its position as the situation develops.

Mexico has argued that the tariff plan, which President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government submitted to Congress, is needed to protect jobs in sectors such as automobiles, steel and textiles. The proposal allows increases of up to 50 per cent on selected goods and reflects a broader effort to shield local manufacturers as global competition intensifies.