Mexico stands by 50 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods, says move will protect 350,000 jobs

Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard on Monday defended Mexico’s decision to impose new tariffs on imports from China and other Asian countries, describing the move as a necessary step to protect hundreds of thousands of domestic jobs rather than a provocation to any trading partner.

The tariff package, approved by Congress last week, will take effect on January 1 and introduce duties ranging from five to 50 per cent on 1,463 products from countries without trade agreements with Mexico. These include China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Brazil and Turkey.

Affected imports span 17 sectors, including textiles, footwear, steel, aluminium, plastics, automobiles, auto parts and household appliances, something officials argue will help stabilise Mexico’s manufacturing base, which has come under pressure from a growing influx of cheaper Asian goods.

According to the Economy Ministry, Mexico imports roughly ten times more from its ten main Asian trading partners, excluding Japan, than it exports to them. In 2024, imports totalled about US$227 billion, compared with exports of only US$22 billion.

Addressing reporters at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference, Ebrard stressed that the new tariffs were not politically motivated but rather a defensive measure to ensure fair competition.

  

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