Mexico aligns with U.S. as new tariffs target Asian imports

Celeste Polidori
December 11, 2025

Mexican lawmakers gave their final approval to the new tariffs on Asian imports, largely aligning themselves with the United States’ efforts to tighten trade barriers against China.

Negotiations between Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and U.S. president Donald Trump reached an agreement on December 10. After continuous discussions between the two leaders, Mexican lawmakers gave their final approval to the new tariffs on Asian imports, largely aligning themselves with the United States’ efforts to tighten trade barriers against China.

In what Sheinbaum described as an attempt to protect domestic industry, the Mexican Senate passed the bill with 76 votes in favor, imposing tariffs ranging from 5% to 50% on products coming from Asian countries that do not have a trade agreement with Mexico.

Affecting more than 1,400 products from clothing to metals and auto parts, these tariffs will go into effect starting in 2026, according to the official statement.

Mexico approves tariffs on products from Asian countries

The Mexican Congress approved a bill imposing new tariffs on imported goods, a decision made as Claudia Sheinbaum engaged in trade negotiations with President Donald Trump. Although Sheinbaum denies that the measure is connected to the U.S. tariff offensive against China, the new duties closely resemble the U.S. strategy.

Sheinbaum’s decision to support the new tariffs aligns with U.S. concerns about the possible rerouting of Chinese exports through third countries, and mirrors Canada’s actions last year, when it adopted U.S.-style tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. However, companies dependent on inputs manufactured in China, India, South Korea, and other nations warned that rising costs could fuel inflation.

Last year, China sold Mexico $71 billion more than it purchased, according to Chinese customs data. China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that it “hopes Mexico will correct its mistaken practices of unilateralism and protectionism as soon as possible,” according to Transport Topics.

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The Chinese automotive sector holds a significant 20% share of the Mexican market, and under current tariff regulations, vehicles from China will be hit the hardest, facing 50% tariffs.

Both Mexican authorities and local automotive industry associations supported these tariffs with the goal of safeguarding domestic vehicle production, one of the main pillars of the country’s manufacturing sector.

In addition to the new duties, lawmakers approved a measure granting the Ministry of Economy, responsible for trade policy, the authority to adjust import tariffs whenever it deems necessary. This could provide the Mexican government with valuable tools ahead of next year’s review of the USMCA trade agreement, which will involve negotiators from Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

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Mexico aligns with U.S. as new tariffs target Asian imports

Mexican lawmakers gave their final approval to the new tariffs on Asian imports, largely aligning themselves with the United States’ efforts to tighten trade barriers against China.

Mexico approves tariffs on products from Asian countries

The USMCA could benefit

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