Mexico’s Senate approves tariff hikes on Chinese, other Asian imports

Mexico’s Senate on Wednesday approved tariff hikes of up to 50% next year on imports from China and several other Asian countries, aiming to bolster local industry despite opposition from business groups and the governments of targeted countries.

The proposal, passed earlier by the lower house, will raise or impose new duties of up to 50% from 2026 on certain goods such as autos, auto parts, textiles, clothing, plastics and steel from countries without trade deals with Mexico, including China, India, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. The majority of products will see tariffs of up to 35%.

The Senate passed the bill, with 76 votes in favor, 5 against, and 35 abstentions. The approved bill is softer than one that stalled in the lower house this autumn, with tariffs on about 1,400 differ