China urges Mexico to “think twice” on customs tariffs, warns counter -measures

BEIJING-The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has warned of counter-measures, as the country plans to raise the customs tariff on cars that made Asia to 50 %.

We hope that Mexico is very careful, and Think twice before actingThe ministry said in a statement late on Thursday, translated by CNBC.

“China and Mexico are important commercial partners,” the ministry said. “We are not ready to see the cooperation of both economic aspects affected by this situation.”

Mexican Minister of Economy Marcelo Eftrard told reporters on Wednesday that the country is planning to raise the definitions of vehicles coming from Asia, especially China, To 50 % From the current 20 %. The increasing duties still need to agree to Congress, and definitions It will be valid after 30 daysHe said.

“China will take the necessary measures … to protect its legitimate rights and interests,” said China’s statement.

China said that countries should protect free trade “in the face of” abuse of the United States for tariffs. “” Not to coercion others to sacrifice the interests of the third party.

China’s planned tariff in Mexico is part of the proposal of the broader federal budget that will affect the country’s imports of $ 52 billion, according to a report from Wall Street Magazine.

In continuous trade tensions with the United States, anti -China measures included restrictions on important mineral exports to produce cars and other advanced technology. Chinese companies came to control the supply chain of many of these minerals.

When sitting on the southern border of the United States, Mexico benefits from the United States, Mexico and Cananga agreement (USMCA) to trade the tariff between countries. But USMCA, which entered into force in 2020, It requires a much larger part of the car in the area From the Free Trade Agreement in North America, it replaced it.

The auto industry in Mexico is The largest employer in the countryJorge Gogdrdo, Washington, a partner headquartered in Dentons Global Adviss, previously said to CNBC. He is a former ambassador of Mexico in China.

“At 50 percent, the definitions are less than the 60 percent definitions that Russia applies to Chinese cars,” Gawgardo told CNBC in an email on Friday. “I still have to see China naming the same accusations (coercion) against Russia or Brazil. I assume that this is an implicit agreement that understands that there is no appetite in the world to absorb the excessive ability of China.” Brazil was announced in July 35 % definitions on electric car imports.

The excessive offer was the reason for the existence of global trade, A Chinese official told CNBC last yearAdding that if China produces a lot of electric cars, other countries have taken control of global exports of LNG, agricultural products and high -end connectors.

From June 2022 to July 2024, More than 20 Chinese cars Manufacturers have announced more than $ 7 billion of investments in Mexico, according to the prosperous coalition, a group of support.

It is not clear that the number of projects that have been completed. Chinese electric cars giant Byd Unprecedented after a long -awaited factory in Mexico.

It was the Central American country in China The upper destination for car exportsAccording to the numbers of the China Automobile Association for Passengers earlier this year.

“The very important thing in Chinese cars is that when they take a market share, often, it is not really western brands. It is really one of the other Asian brands. I think this is what we saw in Mexico.” “China’s connection” Earlier this week, before announcing the Mexico tariff.

But even with 25 % hints at duties at the time, HSIAO said he expected “to propose value to many of these Chinese cars, I think, still sound, even with some of these definitions.”