Mexico Implements 50% Tariffs on Imports from China and Other Nations

Thu Dec 11 2025 09:59:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant move to bolster domestic production, Mexican lawmakers have approved new tariffs of up to 50% on imports from China and several other countries. These tariffs will affect a wide array of products including cars, metals, and appliances as tensions with the U.S. regarding trade policies continue.

Mexican lawmakers have approved tariffs of up to 50% on over 1,400 products imported, particularly from China, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. This comes amid ongoing negotiations with the U.S. under President Donald Trump, who has threatened additional tariffs on Mexican goods. The new tariffs are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Mexican lawmakers have approved a package of new tariffs, impacting hundreds of products, many of which come from China.

The measures, which President Claudia Sheinbaum has said are needed to boost domestic production, were passed by the Mexican Senate on Wednesday.

The levies are set to take effect on 1 January 2026 and will apply to goods like metals, cars, clothing, and appliances. Dozens of countries that do not have a free trade agreement with Mexico will be affected, including Thailand, India, and Indonesia.

The move comes as Mexico is in negotiations with the U.S. over steep import taxes that President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on the country.

The BBC has contacted the embassies in Mexico of China, Thailand, India, and Indonesia for comment.

The measures will impose tariffs of up to 50% on more than 1,400 products.

Sheinbaum's government is in talks with the Trump administration as it tries to reduce tariffs that the White House has threatened to impose on the country. They include potential 50% duties on Mexican steel and aluminium.

Trump has also threatened to impose extra tariffs on Mexico for various reasons, including a 25% levy as part of Washington's measures to pressure countries to do more to stop the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into America.

Trump was referring to a more than 80-year-old treaty that grants the U.S. water from Rio Grande tributaries.

For decades the U.S. has accused Mexico of not meeting the terms of the agreement.

The U.S. is Mexico's largest trading partner.

Beijing previously warned Mexico to think carefully before imposing tariffs.