Mexico Imposes Tariffs on Chinese Imports Amid U.S. Pressure

Mexico's Congress authorized up to 50 percent tariffs on Chinese imports on December 11, 2025. This decision follows pressure from Washington for Mexico to reduce its trade ties with China. The lower chamber of Congress approved the tariffs on Wednesday morning, and the Senate passed the bill in an expedited vote that evening, with seventy-six senators voting in favor, five against, and thirty-five abstaining.

President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed the tariffs in September and is expected to approve the legislation, which will take effect in January. The tariffs will apply to a wide variety of goods, including automotive parts, textiles, furniture, plastics, steel, and aluminum.

China is Mexico's second largest exporter after the United States, with Chinese goods totaling $130 billion last year, compared to $334 billion from the U.S. Sheinbaum has stated that the tariffs aim to boost domestic manufacturing and address Mexico's trade deficit with China, rather than simply appeasing U.S. demands.