Beware, China: Mexican tariffs on countries without a trade agreement will add 255 billion pesos to the coffers.

Mexico's decision to "toughen" tariffs on countries with which there are no Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the 2026 Economic Package will result in a "loot" of 254.8 billion pesos in revenue next year, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit reported on Tuesday, September 9.

Edgar Amador, Secretary of the Treasury , highlighted that the figure is 97.7 billion pesos higher than what is expected to be collected during 2025.

In relative terms, this growth is equivalent to a jump of 62.2 percent, the official added during the press conference on the 2026 Economic Package .

Edgar Amador emphasized that the increase is part of the Plan Mexico strategy, which aims to strengthen national industry and protect the economy from trade and geopolitical tensions.

"What is the objective of Plan Mexico? To strengthen national industry and reindustrialize sectors that have lost competitiveness," he said.

Edgar Amador explained that the design of the tariff policy for 2026 responds to the need to protect strategic sectors and promote domestic production compared to economies with which Mexico does not have trade agreements.

"Tariffs must be understood within a broader reindustrialization strategy. It's not just about raising revenue, but about creating fair competition for Mexican industry ," he emphasized.

Carlos Lerma Cotera, Undersecretary of Revenue, explained that the initiative that the Ministry of Economy will present to Congress, with the Treasury as a co-signer, will include more than 1,400 tariff items .

"The coverage practically encompasses all of the most sensitive sectors of our economy, from the automotive sector to the manufacturing sector ," as well as chains where deficits have increased substantially in recent months.

The Treasury emphasized that the application of these tariffs will respect Mexico's "multilateral commitments."

"It's important to emphasize that all of this will be within the framework of Mexico's international treaties, particularly since there is a most-favored-nation system under the rules of the World Trade Organization . Clearly, all of these principles will be respected," he emphasized.

Bloomberg reported in August that Claudia Sheinbaum's government was considering raising tariffs on Chinese products to protect domestic companies from cheap imports (such as penalized dumping of footwear), but also due to pressure from President Donald Trump .

" Mexico is China's second-largest trading partner in Latin America, and China is Mexico's third-largest export destination. Our trade and economic cooperation benefits both sides," China responded, urging Mexico to reconsider the measure .

Will Mexico's policy of tightening tariffs on countries with which it doesn't have a free trade agreement affect China? The answer seems to be yes. According to government information, there are currently 14 free trade agreements with 52 countries .

In addition to the most famous of all, the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada , other FTAs ​​signed by our country are:

• Pacific Alliance Free Trade Agreement (which includes Chile, Colombia and Peru).
• Free Trade Agreement with Central America.
• Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.
• Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

China is not included in any of these agreements, so its products are at risk of being subject to additional tariffs from Mexico.