Mexico announced this Friday the start of a national “cleanup” operation” of pirated products from China and other Asian countries, at a time when the next return to the presidency of Donald Trump strains the trade relationship with the United States.
The first and publicized action of the authorities was a raid on Izazaga Squarelocated in Mexico City, where more than 262,000 pieces worth 7.5 million pesos were seized, reported the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard.
The official, who was Foreign Minister of Mexico during the first Trump government (2017-2021), explained that among the seized products “There are things that come from China”, but also from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
The raid called “cleanup regarding piracy (…) will be operating throughout the country,” Ebrard added at a press conference.
The minister joked when reporters asked if this initiative against smuggling, especially that which comes from Chinaresponds to pressure from the next US president.
“This has to do with favoring and protecting Mexican industry and industries established in Mexico and commerce that respect the law,” Ebrard later clarified.
Trump fueled a trade war with China
During his first government, Trump fueled a trade war with Chinawhich resulted in the application of million-dollar tariffs on products from the Asian giant. The two superpowers then signed a truce in January 2020.
But this week, the tycoon threatened to impose, as soon as he takes office on January 20, an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, after accusing Beijing of not taking sufficient measures to stop the fentanyl trafficking to the United States.
In the same message, Trump assured that he would apply 25% tariffs to all Mexican and Canadian products to pressure both countries to stop drug trafficking and irregular migration.
