Mexico Weighs Higher Tariffs on China

2025-08-27 23:43 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Mexico plans to raise tariffs on Chinese goods in its 2026 budget proposal, aiming to shield local businesses from cheap imports and respond to a long-standing request from U.S.

President Donald Trump, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.

The hikes, which could cover cars, textiles, and plastics, are also expected to hit other Asian countries.

While details remain unclear and subject to change, the draft proposal from President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration is due to Congress by Sept. 8.

The move follows U.S.

pressure earlier this year for Mexico to align with its own duties on China.

Mexican officials have since floated a “Fortress North America” strategy to curb Chinese shipments while strengthening U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade ties, an idea welcomed by U.S.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Higher tariffs would also help boost revenue as Sheinbaum seeks to narrow Mexico’s budget deficit, which swelled to its widest since the 1980s in 2024.



News Stream
Mexico Posts Surprise Trade Deficit in February
Mexico’s trade balance swung to a $0.46 billion deficit in February 2026, reversing last year’s $1.65 billion surplus and defying analysts’ expectation of a $1.2 billion surplus. Imports soared 20.8% year-on-year to $57.31 billion, as 22.6% jump in purchases of non-oil goods more than offset a 1.4% decline in oil imports. In particular, increases were seen for intermediate goods (29.5%) and consumer goods (5.5%). Meanwhile, exports climbed 15.8% to $56.85 billion, buoyed by a 17.5% rise in non-oil shipments, led by mining products, which soared 107.6%, and manufactured goods, up 17.1%. On the other hand, agricultural exports fell 12.8%, while automotive shipments declined 3.4%, led by an 8.7% drop to the United States. Meanwhile, overseas sales of oil products plunged 24.2%. Overall, non-oil exports continued to perform well, rising 15.9% to the United States and 26.4% to other international markets.
2026-03-27
Mexico Posts Record High Trade Deficit
Mexico posted a trade deficit of $6.48 billion in January 2026, a record high, widening from $5.21 billion a year earlier and well above forecasts of $2.20 billion. Merchandise imports totaled $54.49 billion, up 9.8% year-over-year, driven primarily by intermediate goods at $43.12 billion (14.2%), particularly strong growth in non-petroleum intermediates (16.5%). Capital goods imports fell 4.4% to $4.38 billion, while consumer goods imports declined 3.8% to $6.99 billion, largely due to a sharp drop in petroleum consumer goods (-35.2%). Merchandise exports reached $48.01 billion, up 8.1% year-over-year, as non-oil exports rose 9.8%, offsetting a 33.5% decline in oil exports. Non-oil exports to the US increased 7.9%, while those to the rest of the world surged 19.6%. Manufactured goods exports climbed 9.4% to $43.51 billion, though automotive exports fell 9.0% due to a 16.7% drop in US shipments. Agricultural and fishing exports totaled $1.85 billion, down 11.6%.
2026-02-27
Mexico Trade Surplus Widens in December
Mexico posted a $2.43 billion trade surplus in December 2025, up from $1.85 billion a year earlier but slightly below forecasts of $2.50 billion. Exports rose 17.2% year on year to $60.65 billion, driven by a 20.6% increase in manufactured goods shipments. In contrast, oil exports plunged 32.9%, while agricultural and fishing exports fell 12.7%. Merchandise imports totaled $58.22 billion, marking a 16.7% annual increase. Consumer goods imports surged 25.3%, intermediate goods rose 17.3%, and capital goods edged down 0.6%. For full-year 2025, Mexico recorded a $0.77 billion trade surplus, swinging from an $18.54 billion deficit in 2024.
2026-01-27