The Government of Mexico is showing readiness to take measures to avoid tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. To achieve this, it proposes to increase tariffs on Chinese products and seek ways to boost purchases from the United States, according to sources close to the matter.
The administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed its intention to carry out this proposal as part of ongoing discussions with the Trump Administration. Initially, a one-month pause on the tariffs had been agreed upon, but before this deal, Sheinbaum had mentioned the possibility of implementing a 'Plan B' in response to the tariffs from the U.S. President.
Possible Mexican tariffs on Chinese products would focus on automobiles and auto parts, especially those containing Chinese components. Mexico has intensified its fight against cheap imports, including finished goods and clothing, imposing tariffs of up to 35 percent on items from countries without free trade agreements, with the aim of showing a firm stance to U.S. negotiators.
In a recent meeting, U.S. officials pressured Mexico to impose its own tariffs on Chinese imports. Faced with the threat of a 25 percent tariff from Trump starting March 4, Mexico seeks to avoid this measure at all costs, as the U.S. President has publicly linked the tariffs to the flow of fentanyl and undocumented migrants into the United States, as well as to Chinese investment in Mexico.
