Mexico, the world’s biggest buyer of Chinese cars, is to introduce a 50% levy, as countries increasingly use tariffs – many under pressure from Washington – to limit China’s influence.
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) free-trade deal allows almost 90% of Mexican exports to the U.S. to be duty-free, but it is scheduled for review in 2026. China’s role in the region is likely to be a key point in negotiations, with President Donald Trump complaining that China uses Mexico as a “back-door” into the U.S. and that Beijing has undue influence on the Mexican economy.
The tariff is more than double the existing 15-20% and set at the maximum allowable under WTO rules, demonstrating the importance Mexico puts on the North American trade deal.
