Mexico Approves 50% Tariffs on Many Chinese Imports

Mexico’s Congress authorized up to 50 percent tariffs on Chinese imports on Wednesday, a move seen as an effort to align Mexico with the United States amid pressure from Washington.
On Wednesday morning, Mexico’s lower chamber of Congress approved the tariffs, which apply to China and other countries with which it does not have a trade deal. Mexico’s Senate then passed the bill in an expedited vote on Wednesday night. Seventy-six senators voted in favor versus only five against, while 35 abstained.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who proposed the tariffs in September, is widely expected to approve the legislation, which would then take effect in January. The tariffs would affect a wide variety of goods, including automotive parts, textiles, furniture, plastics, steel and aluminum.
President Trump has been pressuring other nations to distance themselves from China, and the new Mexican tariffs would represent one of the biggest moves to do so yet.
China is the second largest exporter to Mexico after the United States, selling $130 billion in goods to Mexico last year. (The United States sold $334 billion to Mexico last year.)
Ms. Sheinbaum has denied that the tariffs are to appease Washington. She has said they will help boost Mexico’s domestic manufacturing — a major priority of hers — and close its large trade deficit with China, which buys comparatively little from Mexico.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.