Mexican Senate Greenlights New Import Duties
The Mexican Senate on December 10, 2025, approved substantial amendments to the Law on General Import and Export Duties, introducing a new tariff regime on a wide array of products. This decision, which followed approval by the lower house, will see import duties ranging from 5 percent to 50 percent applied to over 1,400 tariff lines. The new measures are slated to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Affected Nations and Product Categories
The revised tariffs will primarily impact imports from countries with which Mexico does not maintain a free trade agreement. Key nations affected include China, India, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, and Turkey.
A broad spectrum of goods will be subject to the increased duties, including:
- Automobiles and auto parts
- Textiles, apparel, and footwear
- Plastics and polymers
- Steel and other metals
- Electronics and appliances
- Furniture, toys, and consumer goods
- Paper, glass, and building materials
- Leather goods and accessories
- Cosmetics
More than 300 products that were previously duty-free will now incur tariffs. However, IMMEX (maquiladora) companies are expected to be excluded from these new duties.
Strategic Intent and External Influences
The Mexican government, under President Claudia Sheinbaum, has stated that the primary objective of these tariffs is to protect local industry, encourage domestic manufacturing, and promote 'sovereign, sustainable and inclusive reindustrialization'. Senator Emmanuel Reyes of the ruling Morena party defended the measure, stating it would 'boost Mexican products in global supply chains and protect jobs in key sectors'.
Analysts and officials suggest that the move is also significantly influenced by US trade policy. The tariffs are seen as an effort to align with US strategies to tighten trade barriers against China and to address US concerns regarding the 'trans-shipment' of Chinese exports through Mexico. This alignment is particularly relevant ahead of the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
International Reactions and Economic Impact
The decision has drawn sharp reactions from affected countries. China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) expressed strong opposition to the unilateral tariff increases and initiated a trade and investment barrier investigation against Mexico. MOFCOM stated that the measure would 'substantially undermine' the interests of its exporters.
India is also bracing for significant impact, particularly its automotive sector, with an estimated $1.8 billion in vehicle exports to Mexico potentially affected. Indian industry groups are lobbying their government, and India is engaging with Mexico to find mutually beneficial solutions, with discussions underway for a potential free trade agreement.
Mexico's finance ministry projects that the new tariffs will generate approximately 52 billion pesos (US$2.8 billion) in additional revenue annually. However, manufacturers reliant on imported inputs have warned of rising costs and potential inflationary pressures.
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