México Balanza Comercial

Mexico plans to raise tariffs on Chinese goods in its 2026 budget proposal, aiming to shield local businesses from cheap imports and respond to a long-standing request from U.S. President Donald Trump, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday. The hikes, which could cover cars, textiles, and plastics, are also expected to hit other Asian countries. While details remain unclear and subject to change, the draft proposal from President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration is due to Congress by Sept. 8. The move follows U.S. pressure earlier this year for Mexico to align with its own duties on China. Mexican officials have since floated a “Fortress North America” strategy to curb Chinese shipments while strengthening U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade ties, an idea welcomed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Higher tariffs would also help boost revenue as Sheinbaum seeks to narrow Mexico’s budget deficit, which swelled to its widest since the 1980s in 2024.