On Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce of the Chinese mainland publicly opposed Mexico's recent decision to increase tariffs on trading partners outside its free trade agreements.
Local media report that the Mexican Congress recently approved new duties set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Although the final proposal reduced rates on some auto parts, light industrial goods, and textiles compared with an earlier draft, the spokesperson warned that these measures still risk harming the interests of China and other trading partners.
To protect domestic industries, China initiated a trade and investment barrier investigation into Mexico at the end of September, which remains ongoing. The investigation seeks to identify and address any unfair trade obstacles.
The spokesperson emphasized that China welcomes efforts to resolve economic disputes through multilateral or bilateral agreements, but cautioned that such deals should not undermine global trade development or China's legitimate interests.
Against a backdrop of rising protectionism worldwide, China called on Mexico to strengthen communication and dialogue, manage differences responsibly, and deepen practical cooperation to maintain a healthy and stable bilateral trade relationship.
With January 1, 2026, approaching, businesses and observers will be watching closely to see how both sides navigate this trade challenge and its impact on broader supply chains.
Reference(s):
China opposes Mexico's tariff hikes, urges correction of protectionism
cgtn.com
