Mexico’s Congress is set to vote this week on a proposed slate of tariffs targeting imports from China, part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s broader strategy to shield domestic producers and ease trade tensions with the United States, Bloomberg reported. Lawmakers are expected to debate the measure in the lower house before proceeding to the Senate, aiming for approval prior to Congress’s year-end recess on December 15.
The bill, which proposes tariffs of up to 50% on imports from Asia, particularly China, was first submitted by Sheinbaum’s administration on September 9. Its progress has been slowed by lobbying from Asian governments and domestic opposition from both legislators and private-sector stakeholders. Manufacturers reliant on Chinese components raised concerns over rising costs, while some lawmakers—including members of the ruling party—cautioned against igniting trade disputes with a region viewed as critical for Mexico’s trade diversification.
After review by the Finance and Economy ministries, at least 750 changes were made to the original proposal, reducing the list of affected products from more than 1,400 to just over 1,000 exemptions. Nonetheless, the tariffs will apply to a wide array of items, including clothing, footwear, steel, aluminum, and auto parts. Mexico’s Finance Ministry projects that the new levies could generate an additional 51.9 billion pesos ($2.8 billion) in import revenue in 2026, representing an 8.3% increase compared with 2024.
The move also carries broader geopolitical and commercial implications. By aligning trade policy more closely with U.S. interests, Mexico aims to counter what officials describe as “unfair competition” from Asian exporters, while reinforcing North American supply chains. Observers say the tariffs could set the stage for Washington to ease its own levies on Mexican steel and aluminum, a possibility that has stirred cautious optimism among domestic manufacturers, according to four people familiar with the negotiations who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity.
Details remain unclear on whether potential U.S. relief would involve a reduction in overall tariff rates or the creation of tariff-free import quotas. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office declined to comment, and the Commerce Department did not respond to requests for comment.
The context for the tariffs dates back to June 3, when former President Donald Trump increased U.S. tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from Mexico from 25% to 50%, citing insufficient protection for domestic production. At the time, Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard criticized the move as “unfair, unsustainable and inconvenient.” Analysts note that Sheinbaum’s current proposal is part of a broader effort to balance domestic industrial interests with ongoing trade negotiations in North America.
If passed, the tariffs could bolster Mexico’s negotiating leverage with the United States while providing additional revenue to the government. However, they also risk raising costs for manufacturers dependent on Chinese inputs and could complicate trade relationships in Asia. Bloomberg reporting underscores that the decision represents a key test of Mexico’s ability to manage competing pressures from domestic industry, regional trade partners, and global economic forces.
