The tariffs are intended to provide certainty and fair market conditions to the sectors of the national industry that face situations of vulnerability, derived from practices that alter and affect international trade and, thus, promote the development of the national industry and support the internal market.
Marko Cortés, from the PAN, tried to stop the discussion of this reform by pointing out that the minutes arrived on December 10 in the morning, so they could not, he said, analyze it as happened in the Chamber of Deputies.
Cortés assured that the co-legislator had 45 days to analyze, discuss and vote on it, since they held four work tables, meetings with 27 chambers of productive sectors and with 50 economic entities.
“In the Chamber of Deputies it was widely analyzed and subsequently voted in the Plenary. Senators from Morena, PVEM and PT, why do you disrespect the Senate of the Republic? The ruling only arrived this morning,” said the PAN member.
Senator Alejandra Barrales explained that with this tariff proposal it is defined who Mexico is going to “play” with, since these taxes are for products that come from a country without a trade agreement like China.
“If we go ahead with these tariffs, the production chain will become more expensive, because our country depends heavily on inputs that we cannot replace today, and especially the automotive industry. Another consequence is that no difference is being made to the application of these tariffs with the different sectors: that is, it is a generalized tariff; it will affect industries where Mexico does not have the capacity to substitute,” said the Emecista.
Meanwhile, Senator Cristina Ruiz Sandoval mentioned that this change in trade policy will affect Mexican families and companies, as she said that the Mexican economy is “lethargic” and investment is contracting.
Morenoist Ricardo Sheffield defended the modification by maintaining that it is a measure that is aimed at nations with which Mexico does not have trade agreements and where trade, he said, has been “deeply unequal” for more than three decades.
“The clearest example is China, our trade deficit reached 120 billion dollars, six times what was registered in 2006. It is already crazy. China has gone too far with Mexico. No country can afford a gap of that magnitude and do nothing,” he commented.
However, not only the opposition parties were against this reform, but also the PT senators, as they voted by abstention. That is, the coalition of Morena and its allies divided.
The transitional articles indicate that these tariffs will come into force on January 1, 2026. The reform was sent to the Executive Branch for publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
The taxes – supported by 76 in favor, 5 against and 35 abstentions – will affect imports from countries with which Mexico does not have trade agreements such as China, Korea, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil, Indonesia, Taiwan, Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates.
