The Mexican government has announced a major reform in its trade policy by presenting an initiative to modify several tariffs items within the Law of General Import and Export Taxes (LIGIE). The goal: to shield strategic national industries from international competition and promote domestic content in productive value chains.
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Inspired by similar measures implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump, the initiative submitted by President Claudia Sheinbaum proposes to increase tariffs on thousands of imported products, mostly from Asia, as a means of reindustrialization and job protection in the country.
Which Mexican industries will be protected by the new tariffs?
According to the official document of the Protection Program for Mexico’s Strategic Industries, this reform will mainly benefit 19 key industrial sectors, including:
- Textiles and apparel
- Footwear
- Auto parts and light vehicles
- Steel
- Plastics
- Home appliances
- Toys
- Paper and cardboard
- Aluminum
- Glass
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Motorcycles and trailers
- Furniture and leather goods
These industries have been categorized as vulnerable due to their high exposure to cheap imports, especially from countries with which Mexico does not have free trade agreements.
How high will the proposed tariffs be?
The proposal includes raising tariffs on 1,463 tariff items, which accounts for 8.6% of total national imports and represents a value of approximately 52 billion U.S. dollars annually.
According to the official breakdown (see table on page 7 of the Economy Ministry document), the new tariffs would be as follows:
| Sector | Current Tariff | Proposed Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Textiles | 0–35% | 10–50% |
| Apparel | 10–35% | 35–50% |
| Footwear | 0–35% | 35% |
| Light vehicles | 15–20% | 50% |
| Auto parts | 0–35% | 10–50% |
| Home appliances | 0–35% | 35% |
| Plastics | 0–35% | 10–35% |
| Toys | 0–15% | 35% |
| Glass | 0–35% | 35–50% |
| Aluminum | 0–5% | 35% |
| Cosmetics and perfumes | 10–15% | 35–50% |
The average tariff will rise from 16.1% to 33.8%, in many cases reaching the maximum allowed by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Which countries will the new tariffs apply to?
These tariffs will not apply to countries with which Mexico has trade agreements, such as:
- United States
- Canada
- European Union
- Japan
- Chile
- Colombia
Instead, they focus on countries with no free trade agreement with Mexico, particularly:
- China
- India
- South Korea
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Turkey
- Russia
What is the government’s argument for raising import taxes?
The document submitted by the Presidency to the Chamber of Deputies justifies the measure as an act of economic sovereignty. Based on Article 25 of the Constitution, which states that the State must guarantee sustainable and competitive national development, the plan seeks to reduce dependence on foreign inputs, promote employment, and ensure the participation of Mexican companies in global production chains.
Additionally, it aligns with the National Development Plan 2025–2030, which proposes a policy of “moral economy and labor” to promote self-sufficiency, technological innovation, and growth with social justice.
When will the new tariffs take effect?
The initiative has been sent to Congress for review, discussion, and approval. If passed without modifications, the new taxes could come into force in the coming months, significantly changing the country’s trade and production landscape.
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