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Foreword:

After receiving the letter from China, Mexican President Sinbaum promised on the spot that he "is willing to work with China to promote the continuous improvement of the level of bilateral relations."

In less than 24 hours, she suddenly announced a tax increase order to China.

Mexico's attitude was obvious. In this round, Sinbaum decided that the United States would win. Why did Mexico make this decision?

What signal has China's response sent?

No. 10, China's new ambassador to Mexico, Chen Daojiang submitted his national letter, and clearly mentioned this sentence in the national letter:

The strategic, complementarity and mutual benefit of China-Mexico relations are more prominent, and strengthening cooperation between China and Mexico is in the common interests of both sides.

Mexican President Sinbaum agreed at that time, expressing his willingness to work with China to promote the continuous improvement of the level of bilateral relations.

But shortly after seeing this, Mexico suddenly announced an increase in tariffs on Chinese automobiles and other products, and OnePlus had a high tax of 50%.

This matter starts from the previous two years. When Mexico attracts foreign investment from China and other countries, it has a key "capital" that they have The US-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement.

The content of the agreement is roughly the United States gives special access and tariff preferential treatment to Canada and Mexico, so that their products can be sold to the United States more conveniently.

So other countries invest in northern Mexico cities by investing in cheaper employees in Mexico and lower tariffs on selling products to the United States. China is also a "big investor" investing in northern Mexico.

Since Trump came to power, he began to "fire heavily" against his two major neighbors in the north and south, forcing Mexico and Canada to increase taxes on China.

Trump said earlier that they did not allow other countries to "take advantage of the United States" for nothing, and to use the cross-border agreement, and also specifically said that China used the agreement.

Canada is the first to "kneel". The two administrations of Trudeau and Carney have completed tax increases on China in advance, but Trump is still not satisfied.

BYD and Chery dealerships in Mexico City

Some time ago, they imposed a high tax rate of 35% on Canada, and also hinted that the Canadian government would continue to attack China.

Trump's strategy is to force the two countries to choose between China and the United States.

Because the US side under the guise of "reviewing the US-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement in 2026", the implication is that it implies,

If Mexico cannot do what they are satisfied with, then the review is likely to be "but" and is definitely not a joke.

So Mexican President Sinbaum also has to make a choice. According to Mexico's performance some time ago, it is actually very likely that he chose China's side.

Sinbaum, Mexican President, has made tough remarks many times, saying "The Mexican government will respond to US tariffs with firm means".

US-Mexico border

Trump is definitely "condemned" in this regard. Many of their raw materials, parts, resources and employees are imported from Mexico, and the onshore trade channel with South America also passes through Mexico.

In addition, as long as Mexico does not cooperate, it is not a problem to make the management difficulty of the United States several times. This is the "trump card" in Sinbaum's hand.

So if I attack the United States, Mexico will definitely bring heavy damage to the United States, but everything has changed since a meeting in September.

On the 3rd, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio arrived in Mexico and named it to negotiate with the Mexican government on the issue of "trade and non-trade barriers".

Rubio's words were very clear. Just saying that the tariff issue is the cornerstone of "promoting the prosperity of both countries", it is not difficult to understand the meaning. If it is not agreed, Mexico will face problems.

At the press conference where the meeting ended, Sinbaum made a "historic commitment":

Mexico is considering imposing tariffs on countries including China, and countries that do not sign trade agreements with Mexico will face their tariffs.

Although these words are very clear, all parties also know that the key to the taxation target is China.

So on the 10th, just received the letter of China and China and Mexico had friendly exchanges, Mexico still announced the tax increase decision.

To put it bluntly, Mexico believes that Trump will definitely "win" in this round of game between China and the United States, so it accepted the "invitation" of tariffs from the United States.

Once the policy is implemented, the first step is to withdraw foreign capital, Chinese companies shrink Mexican industries, and Chinese automobiles and other products to reduce exports, etc.

Besides, the 50% tariff is no longer an "acceptable range", and the impact of China and Mexico will be greatly affected. Sinbaum's promise to "strengthen cooperation between the two countries" is just empty talk.

Mexican media reported this incident and believed that they had "difficulties". Because Rubio is not just putting pressure on tariffs, the United States has emerged one after another.

Trump recently accused Mexican banks of money laundering, which may threaten sanctions on their financial system and revoked visas from some Mexican politicians, which also affected the diplomacy between the United States and Mexico.

The Pentagon also dispatched a large number of troops to the US-Mexico border, threatening to help them carry out "drug law enforcement" and defend the US-Mexico border.

In this case, Mexico faces a very large pressure. In the end, Sinbaum's actions were considered "submission", and he lowered his head to the United States and no longer mentioned countermeasures.

But if Mexico is threatened by the United States, can it be taken for granted to "target" China? Don't forget that China helps Mexico more.

China has been firmly ranked in Mexico's second largest trading partner for many years. In 2024, China-Mexico trade volume reached US$109.4 billion, making an unignorable contribution to local economic development.

Data shows that Chinese-funded enterprises have created more than 400,000 jobs in Mexico and built many infrastructure projects for Mexico.

And the most important point is that during this process, our country helped Mexico carry out industrial upgrading.

Take logistics as an example, it has helped many Mexico's ports and warehouses to achieve digital, automated and intelligent transformation in multiple scenarios such as production lines and warehousing.

Similar cases abound, but now they are teamed up by Mexico and the United States.

Mexico also hoped that China would consider their "difficulties" and make a clear stand on Mexico.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the tax increase incident in China in clear terms on the 11th:

Opposes setting restrictions on China under various names under coercion by others, which will harm China's legitimate rights and interests. China will resolutely safeguard its rights and interests based on actual conditions.

China's attitude here is very clear. Even if it is under the premise of "coercion from others", which harms our normal rights and interests, China will still take measures to safeguard it.

So "forced by other countries" is not a reason at all. If the Mexican government takes the step of "kneeling" to the United States, there will be no way back.

Sinbaum needs to consider this matter more clearly.

References:

"Amistant Chen Daojiang submits the national letter to Mexican President Sinbaum" Chinese Embassy in Mexico

"Mexican President: Willing to work with China to continuously improve the level of bilateral relations" Xinhua News Agency

"Automobile tariffs on China may be raised to 50%, Mexico is criticized for "pleasing the United States"" Observer Network