The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday that it has determined that measures taken by the Mexican government — such as raising import tariff rates on products from China and other countries that are not its free trade partners — constitute trade and investment barriers. 

Responding to a reporter's question on the matter, the ministry said that Mexico's measures have restricted and hindered the entry of products, services and investment from Chinese companies into the Mexican market, undermining the competitiveness of relevant Chinese firms and their products there. In light of this, MOFCOM has, in accordance with the law, determined that Mexico's China-related restrictive measures constitute trade and investment barriers.

On September 25, 2025, the MOFCOM issued a notice to launch a trade and investment barrier investigation into Mexico's restrictive measures involving China. 

Following the initiation of the case, the ministry, in accordance with the law, verified relevant facts with all interested parties through questionnaires, on-site investigations and other means, and widely solicited opinions to ensure the probe was fair, impartial, open and transparent, according to the spokesperson, noting that during the investigation, the Mexican government did not submit any comments to the investigating authority.

The Mexican Congress on December 10, 2025, approved a proposal to raise tariffs on non-free trade agreement partners, including China. The new tariffs have taken effect on January 1, 2026, according to local media reports. 

"We hope that the Mexican side will attach great importance to this matter and act prudently," said the spokesperson for the MOFCOM, adding that China has always opposed unilateral tariff hikes in all forms, and urges Mexico to correct its wrong practices of unilateralism and protectionism at an early date. 

On March 20, in response to a media query regarding Mexican media reports saying that Mexico is considering launching such a review of Chinese investment, a MOFCOM spokesperson said "China consistently opposes all forms of unilateralism and protectionist measures, and it is against the politicization, weaponization, and instrumentalization of economic and trade issues." 

Global Times