Overview

• China’s Ministry of Commerce opened an investigation into what it calls trade and investment barriers tied to Mexico’s plan, warning the measures would harm Chinese firms and urging resistance to unilateral protectionism.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed a high-level working table with Beijing, while Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard met China’s ambassador, described the meeting as positive, and invited Chinese trade specialists to continue discussions in Mexico.
• The initiative before Congress would raise duties up to 50% on imports from countries without free‑trade agreements, adjusting 1,463 tariff lines across sectors such as autos, textiles, steel, appliances, toys, furniture and footwear, with the SE estimating exposure around $52 billion.
• Mexico argues the move serves a legitimate national interest, falls within WTO tariff bindings and targets a widening deficit with China that officials say has grown about 83% in recent years.
• The Economy Ministry is broadening consultations for the upcoming T‑MEC review with meetings in every state and across 30 sectors, signaling a shift from the traditional Cuarto de Junto format even as business leaders stress continued technical participation.