Trump team pressures Mexico to impose tariffs on China to avoid US duties

The Trump administration told Mexican officials that they should put their own duties on Chinese imports as part of their efforts to avoid tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was among US officials who conveyed that message at a meeting Thursday in Washington with a Mexican delegation, including Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, according to the people, who asked not to be identified describing private discussions. US Trade Representative (USTR) nominee Jamieson Greer and White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett also attended the meeting.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had ramped up efforts to crack down on cheap imports from China, a move to support domestic industries as well as appease a Trump administration that’s threatening 25 per cent tariffs on its North American trade partners.

The Commerce Department and USTR, as well as Mexico’s Foreign Affairs and Economy ministries, did not respond to requests for comment. The White House also did not respond to a request for comment.

Mexico did not make any commitment regarding China during the meeting, the people said, which ended with an agreement to establish a working group from both countries to continue exploring trade and tariff issues.

Ebrard said in a social media post that the Washington meeting was the start of “a constructive dialogue, and joint work will begin on Monday.”

  

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