Heating Due To Import Tariffs, Mexico Will Talk To Chinese Representatives

JAKARTA - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said officials would speak with representatives of China next week on the Mexican tariff plan for goods from the Asian country. Sheinbaum emphasized that the tariff was not intended as an act of coercion.

The Mexican president said the proposed measures, which would impact hundreds of items from countries that do not have trade agreements with Mexico, especially cars shipped from China, were not aimed at any country in particular.

China previously criticized Beijing's increase in automotive rates, saying the move would undermine investor confidence and " seriously impact Mexico's business environment."

"We have a very good relationship with China and we want to maintain a very good relationship with them," Sheinbaum told a news conference on Friday, September 12.

These new tariff measures are targeted at sectors that need to increase national production.

South Korea has also contacted Mexican officials to start negotiations.

The Mexican-China Chamber of Commerce on Thursday asked Mexico to reconsider the measure, arguing the move threatens the competitiveness of goods sold in Mexico and the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.

Mexico is the main producer of cars that are mostly exported to the United States, but also imports hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually.