China Launches Sweeping Investigation into Mexico's Tariffs on Chinese Imports

Beijing Initiates Trade Barrier Probe Against Mexico

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the launch of a sweeping investigation into Mexico's planned tariffs and other restrictive measures targeting Chinese imports. The probe, which became effective immediately, highlights the widening global fallout from ongoing trade disputes. Beijing asserts that these tariffs could significantly harm the trade and investment interests of Chinese companies and undermine investor confidence in Mexico.

Mexico's Tariff Hike and Affected Products

Mexico recently announced plans to raise duties by up to 50% on more than 1,400 products originating from China and other Asian countries with which it lacks free trade agreements. These measures are intended to protect Mexico's domestic production. The extensive list of affected goods includes key sectors such as automobiles, auto parts, textiles, toys, steel, clothing, plastics, household appliances, aluminum, furniture, footwear, leather goods, paper and paperboard, motorcycles, and glass. While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that these tariffs are not specifically aimed at China nor are they a direct result of U.S. pressure, they are widely seen as a response to calls from the United States to limit Chinese imports and to strengthen Mexico's position in trade negotiations with Washington.

China's Firm Stance Against Protectionism

In response to Mexico's proposed tariffs, a spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry issued a strong statement. The spokesperson emphasized that 'all countries should jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism in any form' and that 'no party should sacrifice the interests of third countries under the coercion of another.' This statement implicitly references pressure from the United States on its trading partners to reduce reliance on Chinese goods. In addition to the broader trade barrier investigation, MOFCOM also initiated a separate anti-dumping investigation into pecan imports from both Mexico and the United States, effective the same day.

Broader Implications for Global Trade

The trade volume between Mexico and China reached approximately US $137 billion in 2024, with China being Mexico's second-largest source of imports after the United States. The U.S. has expressed concerns that Mexico is being used as a 'backdoor' for Chinese goods to circumvent American tariffs, a dynamic that has intensified during the U.S.-China trade war. The Chinese investigation into Mexico's tariffs is expected to last up to six months, with a possible extension. Should the investigation confirm the existence of trade barriers, Beijing could pursue bilateral consultations or escalate the matter to a multilateral dispute resolution body, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO).