Overview

• China’s Commerce Ministry opened a formal investigation into Mexico’s planned tariff increases on imports from countries without trade deals, calling the measures coercive and harmful to Chinese commercial interests.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed a high‑level working table with Beijing and said there are no trade tensions, emphasizing openness to dialogue to explain Mexico’s rationale.
• Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard met China’s ambassador, asserted the plan serves Mexico’s national interest within WTO limits, and invited a Chinese technical delegation to visit before October 20 as lawmakers consider the revenue law.
• The proposal, part of the 2026 fiscal package, would adjust 1,463 tariff lines—citing rates up to 50%—to protect sectors such as autos, autoparts, textiles, footwear, steel and appliances.
• Officials cite Banco de México data showing a roughly $68.35 billion January–July trade gap with China and have launched wider USMCA review consultations with every state and 30 economic sectors while Congress examines the tariff plan.