Mexican lawmakers have approved a bill imposing a wide range of new import tariffs on countries without a free trade agreement with Mexico, affecting more than 1,400 products, many of which come from China, according to local media reports. These measures were passed by the Mexican Senate on Wednesday, December 10, and are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the tariffs are needed to boost domestic production and address long-standing trade imbalances.
The decision, which includes tariffs of up to 50 percent, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing and comes amid sensitive trade negotiations between Mexico and the United States.
Steel and auto products are among the goods affected
The new tariffs will apply to a wide range of goods, including steel and other metals. automobiles and auto parts, textiles and clothing, as well as household appliances and plastics. Countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico will be hit the hardest, including China, India, Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea. Tariff rates will reach 50 percent for certain categories of goods.
The bill under consideration was first proposed by President Sheinbaum in September of this year, as SteelOrbis previously reported. Specific tariffs on individual products have not yet been published in Mexico's Official Gazette.
China condemns tariffs, launches investigation
China's Ministry of Commerce sharply criticized the decision, calling the tariffs "wrong" and calling on Mexico to reverse what it called unilateral and protectionist measures.
China has already initiated an investigation, a ministry spokesman said. regarding Mexico-related trade and investment barriers, launched in late September and currently ongoing. Noting that the latest proposal includes more modest tariff cuts than originally planned for some goods such as auto parts, light consumer goods and textiles, the ministry warned that the measures would still cause significant harm to affected trading partners, including China. United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The United States has repeatedly called on Mexico and Canada to stop China and other Asian exporters from using North America's free trade system as an export platform.
