China investigates Mexican tariffs on imports from Asia as trade tensions escalate
BEIJING (AP) — China has opened an investigation into whether import tariffs being imposed by Mexico are a trade and investment barrier.
Mexico plans to impose taxes as high as 50% on more than 1,400 products from Asia to protect factories at home, which are facing stiff tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on exports to the United States.
A Chinese Commerce Ministry statement posted Thursday said the tariffs would harm the interests of affected countries.
“China believes that, against the backdrop of the current U.S. abuse of tariffs, all countries should jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism and must not sacrifice the interests of third parties because of coercion,” the statement said.
China’s Commerce Ministry also announced Thursday that it was launching an anti-dumping investigation into pecans imported from Mexico and the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied Friday that Mexico’s tariffs had raised commercial tensions with China. She said that Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard had proposed creating a “high-level working group” to facilitate dialogue on the topic at a meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Mexico on Thursday.
Sheinbaum voiced support for that dialogue Friday, so that Chinese authorities “understand the situation” and her administration’s decision to increase domestic production and consumption.
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