Mexico approves tariffs of up to 50% on China and other countries

Mexican lawmakers approved a series of new tariffs affecting hundreds of products, many of them from China.

Mexico’s Senate passed the measures on Wednesday, with President Claudia Scheinbaum saying they were necessary to boost domestic production.

The levy will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to goods such as metals, cars, clothing and electrical 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 negotiates with the United States over steep import taxes that President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on the country.

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

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

The Scheinbaum administration is in talks with the Trump administration to try to reduce tariffs the White House has threatened to impose on the country. These include possible 50% tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum.

Trump has also threatened to impose additional tariffs on Mexico for a variety of reasons, including a 25% tariff, as part of Washington’s efforts to pressure countries to do more to stem the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States.

On Monday, Trump threatened to impose new 5% tariffs on Mexico, accusing the country of violating an agreement to provide water to U.S. farmers.

“This is deeply unfair to our American farmers who deserve the water they so desperately need,” he posted on social media.

Trump was referring to a more than 80-year-old treaty that allows the United States to obtain water from Rio Grande tributaries.

For decades, the United States has accused Mexico of not abiding by the terms of the deal.

The United States is Mexico’s largest trading partner.

Beijing previously warned Mexico to “think carefully” before imposing tariffs.