China warned Mexico on March 26, 2026, of potential trade reprisals following tariffs imposed in December 2025 on over 1,400 categories of Asian goods, primarily Chinese. The move risks complicating Mexico's USMCA renewal talks with the US. Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard dismissed Beijing's complaints, accusing Chinese firms of state-backed dumping.
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued a warning on Thursday, March 26, 2026, stating it could impose retaliatory measures after concluding a formal investigation launched on September 25, 2025, into Mexico's tariffs—up to 50% on more than 1,400 categories of Asian goods. The probe found the duties create trade barriers, restricting Chinese products, services, and investments in Mexico and harming Chinese competitiveness. “The ministry is authorised to apply the pertinent measures to firmly safeguard the interests of Chinese industries,” MOFCOM said via state news agency Xinhua, following initial findings released the previous day.
This escalation follows Mexico's Senate approval in December 2025 of the tariffs to protect domestic industries amid USMCA review pressures. Speaking at the Caintra assembly in Monterrey, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard rejected Beijing’s stance: “We put tariffs in place because we consider that there is an effort to expand the market with government support. Your exit price is lower than what it costs the other guy to open his shop. You are going to bankrupt any company.”
The dispute could hinder Mexico's negotiations to renew the USMCA with the United States.
