Mexico's Congress Passes New Tariff Bill to Impose Additional Duties on Imports from Multiple Asian Countries

Mexico City, December 10, 2025–The plenary session of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies voted today to pass the revised tariff bill submitted by President Claudia Sheinbaum in September. The bill aims to amend the General Import and Export Tax Law, imposing additional tariffs on goods imported from countries that do not have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Mexico, in order to strengthen protection for domestic manufacturing.

According to the bill, effective January 1, 2026, imports from countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea—which lack FTAs with Mexico—will face new surcharges. The government stated that the primary objective of this measure is to address imbalanced competition from external markets, curb the impact of low-priced imports on relevant domestic industries, and encourage local production and supply chain diversification.

President Sheinbaum emphasized during the bill's proposal that the new policy is not a trade blockade but a defensive measure aimed at creating a "level playing field" and ensuring that Mexican industries, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, can develop within a healthy ecosystem. The bill received majority support from the ruling coalition during the legislative process.

Analysts note that this shift in trade policy could have profound implications for Mexico's import structure, consumer prices, and economic relations with the affected trading partners. It is expected that the Mexican government will release specific details, including the list of affected goods and applicable tariff rates, in the coming months. The international community and major exporting countries involved are closely monitoring developments to assess potential impacts.