Up to now, China and the United States have talked about tariffs for three rounds.

China's confidence and courage to defend its own interests have made the United States somewhat unable to do it.

And then came the ¡°trick¡±.

Local time on September 10,MexicanThe government officially submitted a tariff reform proposal, which plans to impose tariffs on 1,400 goods originating in countries that have not signed a free trade agreement such as China, with a maximum tariff rate of 50%.

This measure not only broke Mexico's previous statement that it was "not on the sidelines" but also pushed China-Mexico economic and trade relations to a crossroads.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio arrives in Mexico for closed-door talks with Simboom

forced or otherwise.

According to this proposal, the scope and intensity of this tariff adjustment are rare, covering automobiles, textiles, plastics, steel, clothing, toys, footwear, furniture, paper, glass and other core areas of people's livelihood and industry.

As an important member of the world's Southern countries, China-Mexico economic and trade cooperation should be a model of mutual benefit and win-win, and in 2022 China-Mexico bilateral trade has broken the $100 billion mark, China has become Mexico's second largest trading partner for years in a row, so why did Mexico suddenly raise tariffs on China?

Although Mexican President Claudia Simbaum has repeatedly stated that he is "never on the Central American frontier", U.S. Secretary of State Rubio arrived in Mexico on September 3, after a closed-door talks with Simbaum, the direction changed.

Just a day later, Simbaum made it clear for the first time at a daily press conference that Mexico was considering imposing tariffs on ¡°country that has not signed a trade agreement¡± and cited the nickname ¡°China is one of them.¡±

It is particularly noteworthy that the United States has been promoting a "nearshore outsourcing" strategy in recent years, encouraging companies to transfer production lines from Asia to neighboring countries such as Mexico.

In the first half of 2023, Mexico's exports to the United States surpassed China's for the first time and became the largest trading partner of the United States. This strategic positioning of "replacing China" objectively requires Mexico to keep an economic distance from China.

In addition to the ¡°poison pill clause¡± introduced by the United States in the North American Free Trade Agreement ¨C restricting member states from signing free trade agreements with ¡°non-market economies¡±, Mexico¡¯s policy autonomy towards China has actually been greatly compressed.

Mexican geostrategist Carlos Errella seems to have broken the sky: ¡°Mexico is facing the most complex geo-economic choice in modern history: on the one hand, it needs to maintain important economic relations with China, and on the other hand, it must not be contrary to the strategic interests of its northern neighbors.

Flag of the EU.

Tariff "encirclement"

After being previously exposed to pressure the EU to impose 100% secondary tariffs on China and India, the Financial Times quoted four sources on September 11 as saying that the United States will put pressure on G7 countries to impose tariffs on Russian oil. China and India have imposed substantial tariffs.

Interestingly, this seemingly serious tariff war finally got stuck on the embarrassing question of "who shoots first". According to the news revealed from the EU, the US side patted its chest and said that if the EU dares to levy taxes on China and India first, the United States will never be ambiguous and follow up immediately. But the EU is not stupid either. It makes it clear-if the United States doesn't act with us, we will definitely not do it alone.

I suddenly thought of four words, colourful.

After all, the tariff game is becoming more and more like a "look who blinks first" game, but at the moment it seems that neither the United States nor the EU, nobody wants to make the first step.

But there are still some people who are willing to be the "first bird" for various reasons.

President of Mexico Claudia Simbom.

Think twice before you act

China's foreign ministry's speech against Mexico, despite being gentle, was also very clear - resolutely opposed to imposing restrictions on China under other people's coercion for various purposes and damaging China's legitimate rights and interests.

If the words of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are polite, then the response of the spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce is much straightforward: any unilateral tax increase by Mexico, even within the framework of WTO rules, will be regarded as appeasement and compromise of unilateral bullying.

Once the relevant measures are implemented, they will not only harm the interests of relevant trading partners including China, but also seriously affect the certainty of Mexico's business environment and reduce the confidence of enterprises in investing in Mexico. China and Mexico are important economic and trade partners to each other. China does not want to see bilateral economic and trade cooperation affected by this. It is hoped that Mexico will be cautious and think twice before acting.

You hear it, Mexico should be cautious and think twice before you act! Anyway, it's time to persuade what should be persuaded and say what should be said. It depends on what Mexico does. One thing, China is by no means a soft persimmon that is easy to pinch!

Editor: Qin Yangke

Directed by: Zhao

Extended reading

Niu Tanqin: North American powers give in to Trump and attack China. China must be wary

Mexico jumped into the hole dug by the United States

It should come sooner or later.

Frankly, this was also entirely unexpected¡ªa great country that, after all hesitation, eventually shut its eyes and jumped into the pit excavated by the United States.

This country is Mexico.£¡

While the U.S. has always swallowed all kinds of big bangs against Mexico, speech insults, and even threats of force.But with more than 100 million inhabitants, almost two million square kilometers of land, Mexico is definitely considered a great country.

According to media reports, Mexico plans to significantly adjust tariffs, imposing a maximum of 50% import tariffs on automobiles, steel and textiles from China and other countries.

You are not mistaken, up to 50%.

The plan, which has been submitted to the Mexican Congress, covers a tariff list of about 1,400 products, affecting $52 billion in imports.

It should be noted that countries that have trade agreements with Mexico, such as the United States, Canada, Europe, etc., are not affected; Who was it that was injured? China, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey...

The proposal will surely be easily passed, as the ruling Mexican party has a majority in both houses of parliament.

Of course, the whole world knows that Mexico at this time introduced this policy, mainly aimed at China.

US President Trump and Mexican President Sheinbaum

I saw the AP report that Mexico has been under pressure from the Trump administration to demand restrictions on Chinese imports, ¡°some Americans claim that China uses Mexico as a backdoor into the U.S. market.¡±

Gabriela Siller, chief economist at Mexican financial group Banco Base, said more openly on social media: Mexico¡¯s tax hikes to ¡°no-trade agreement countries¡± have two core purposes, one is to increase fiscal revenue, and the other is to favor Trump.¡±

¡°This is a typical Trump-style protectionist measure, the intention of which seems to be to build a common camp against China. Right now, the U.S.-Mexico trade agreement is about to be considered (2026), and such a move is not unexpected.¡±

It is not surprising.

The Mexican government could not eventually withstand the pressure from the North.

Of course, according to Mexican officials, this is to "protect domestic industries in strategic areas, replace Asian imports with local production" and "improve Mexico's trade balance".

But it is undoubtedly a blow to Chinese companies that are entering Mexico, especially automobile companies.

China is Mexico's second largest trading partner in the world, and Mexico is China's second largest trading partner in Latin America. Data show that in 2024, the total trade volume between China and Mexico will reach US $109.426 billion.

China mainly exports to ink cars, electronic components, kitchen supplies, motor vehicle parts, etc., from ink mainly imports crude oil, electrical equipment, medical instruments and other products.

Specifically, in the first half of 2025, China's car exports will have three major destinations, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Mexico ranked first.

If the tariff is 50%, how do you sell the car?

Trump bullfighting cartoon

China should have expected it.

As early as August 28, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiangkun made it clear that mutual benefit and win-win are the essential characteristics of China-Mexico economic and trade cooperation, and the Chinese side firmly opposes the imposition of restrictions on China under the coercion of others for various purposes, damaging the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese side.

But Mexico obviously disappointed China.

I see, on September 11, the Ministry of Commerce also stated clearly: We have noticed the relevant reports, will pay close attention to the tax increase trend of Mexico, and carefully evaluate the final measures.

In the current context, any unilateral tax hike by Mexico, even within the framework of the WTO rules, will be seen as an outcry and compromise against unilateral bullying. China and Mexico are important economic and trade partners to each other, and we don't want to see the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides be affected. We hope that Mexico will be cautious and think twice before acting.

Eight words: Careful and thoughtful.

After all, Mexico's discord and compromise have not finally landed; China's statements are very rational and very restrained.

But I always feel that in the face of this new trend, we cannot always hope and persuade, we must be highly vigilant and make the necessary resolute counterattack.

Trump's border wall cartoon

What to do?

Three superficial opinions.

First, the opposition is opposed, do not gentle.

It's indecent to come and not go.

Since Mexico is so unfair, don¡¯t blame China for it.

After all, trade is mutual, and the task of Mexico's development is still very heavy. Development is inseparable from manufacturing, technology and management. In this respect, China can really play a huge role in promoting it.

But on the other hand, under US pressure, Mexico made the worst choice.

Chinese companies, still not going to Mexico? key goods and technology, Mexico you still need not need? Mexico you like the business environment, which country companies dare to come?

Mexico is bound to pay a huge price.

Of course, our fighting strategy is profitable.Since it¡¯s a game, we¡¯ll have fun.

Second, be careful about the window breaking effect.

What does that mean?

Quite simply, Mexico presented a letter of vote to the United States. If China did not resolutely counter it, would other countries compete to follow suit?

Definitely it will.

We have seen a lot of signs.

This is also the most anticipated outcome of the United States. even recently the European Union, you against China and India sanctions, the imposition of 100% tariffs, we the United States then follow...

China has also been prepared for a long time and has repeatedly warned the countries concerned before: China is firmly opposed to any transaction at the expense of China's interests in exchange for the so-called tariff relief.If this happens, China will not accept it and will resolutely counter and safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

China has shown no weakness in the hegemonic bullying of the United States.

Other people are stupid, and China is not so soft.

There must be a rule: whoever dares to make a deal with China¡¯s interests will be counter-repressed.

If you don¡¯t believe it, you¡¯ll see Canada and you¡¯ll know that it jumps very high and falls too lightly.

Under power there is no real fairness, only a firm counterattack can win respect.

American hegemony bullying cartoon

Third, the tears of Mexico.

Which country is the worst hit by the United States?

Mexico dares to say second, and no country dares to say first.

Two-thirds of Mexico¡¯s territory is occupied by the United States.

If California still belongs to Mexico today, Texas still belongs to Mexico, or Mexico still belongs to Mexico today?

History cannot assume that Mexico wants to cry without tears.

Even to this day, the United States still scolds Mexico when it says, fights when it says, tears up when the agreement says it is torn up, sanctions when it says it is sanctioned, and sometimes, it even insults how it comes. The Gulf of Mexico is called the Gulf of America.

Poor Mexico, which has to make all kinds of compromises, now wants to attack the eastern powers and present a new vote certificate to the United States.

Mourn for his misfortune, and anger for his indispute.

Will the US be satisfied?

You will never be satisfied. The knife that cuts flesh will only cut harder and harder.

Hegemony never knows satisfaction, and compromise will only encourage greed.

Remember the ancient Chinese warning: Cut five cities today, cut ten cities tomorrow, and then you have to sleep peacefully overnight. Looking at the four realms, the Qin soldiers have arrived again... "To serve Qin with the land, it's still to put out the fire with salary. If the salary is not exhausted, the fire will never be extinguished."

Remember the famous Mexican proverb: Mexico¡¯s greatest sorrow is that it is too far from God and too close to America.

Source: The Bowl