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, made by Mexico's lower chamber of Congress, is seen as a move to align Mexico with the United States amid pressure from Washington to reduce economic ties with China.

Following the lower chamber's approval, Mexico's Senate passed the bill in an expedited vote, with seventy-six senators voting in favor, five against, and thirty-five abstaining. President Claudia Sheinbaum, who proposed the tariffs in September, is expected to approve the legislation, which is set to take effect in January 2026.

The tariffs will affect a wide range of goods, including automotive parts, textiles, furniture, plastics, steel, and aluminum. Mexico's trade relationship with China is significant, as China is the second largest exporter to Mexico after the United States, selling approximately $130 billion in goods to Mexico last year.

In contrast, the United States sold $334 billion to Mexico during the same period. President Sheinbaum has stated that the tariffs are intended to boost Mexico's domestic manufacturing and reduce its large trade deficit with China.

The report indicates that this tariff action represents one of the largest moves by Mexico in response to U.S. pressure to distance itself from China.