Mexico Slaps Tariffs on China — But Says “Don’t Worry, We’re Still Friends” 🇲🇽🤝🇨🇳

In global trade, breaking up is hard to do — unless you call it “tariff policy.” On September 12, Mexico’s brand-new President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will slap new tariffs on imports from China (and several other Asian countries). But don’t panic, Beijing — she swears it’s nothing personal.


According to Sheinbaum, these tariffs — ranging anywhere from 10% to 50% — are perfectly legal under international rules. In fact, she insists Mexico still wants a “very good relationship” with China. Translation: We like you, but please stop flooding our markets with cheap stuff.

It’s Not You, It’s… Everyone Without a Trade Deal

The new tariffs aren’t just aimed at China. Mexico is targeting imports from countries that don’t have a free trade agreement with them — a list that includes South Korea, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, and more.

So, technically, this isn’t a China problem. It’s an “everyone outside NAFTA 2.0” problem.

Still, the fact that Chinese goods are front and center — from steel to cars to toys — makes this move look a lot like a subtweet directed straight at Beijing.

Protecting Mexican Industry (aka “Please Don’t Undercut Us”)

Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard explained the policy as a way to protect domestic industries from dumping — when foreign companies sell goods below cost just to grab market share.

In other words, Mexico is telling Chinese exporters: Stop selling cars cheaper than tacos, it’s not fair. 🌮🚗

The new measures cover 1,463 tariff lines, with an estimated trade value of $52 billion. That’s a lot of pesos — and a lot of unhappy importers.

Trade Diplomacy, the Mexican Way

Sheinbaum stressed that Mexico has been in touch with Chinese officials and will continue talks next week. The message is clear: We still want to be amigos, but we also want our factories to survive.

Global Times, China’s state media, tried to spin the story, but Beijing can’t be thrilled. After all, no country likes hearing, “We value our friendship… but we’re raising your prices by 50%.”

The Bigger Picture

This policy is part of Mexico’s 2026 economic plan, and yes — it lands right in the middle of ongoing global trade wars. The U.S. has been leaning hard on Mexico to keep Chinese goods out of North America, and Mexico seems to have gotten the message loud and clear.

So here we are: Mexico playing the “good neighbor” to Washington while smiling politely at Beijing.

Final Take

Mexico insists the tariffs are about protecting its economy, not about starting a fight. But in international trade, good intentions don’t always stop bruised egos.

For now, Mexico says: China, we love you — but we love our factories more.

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