China-Mexico bilateral trade has shown strong growth momentum. However, Mexicos decision in August this year has put pressure on some countries in terms of trade. Mexico decided to increase import tariffs on products involving 392 tariff lines, which poses a challenge for several countries including Brazil, China, and South Korea. Countries with free trade agreements with Mexico, such as the United States, are not affected.

On September 14, at a press conference held by the Ministry of Commerce, the medias focus regarding this sudden decision was: As one of Mexicos important trading partners, how will China respond to this change?

Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong stated that this adjustment was not targeted at any specific country but indeed affected trade between China and Mexico. He believed that raising tariff levels might increase production costs, which in turn could reduce consumer welfare. Although Mexico has historically benefited from free trade, He Yadong still hoped that Mexico would continue to adhere to the principles of free trade.

Recent data shows that our countrysimport and exportsituation has also been somewhat affected. In August of this year, Chinas total import and export volume reached 3.59 trillion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 2.5%. Despite this, He Yadong expressed affirmation for the resilience demonstrated by China.foreign tradeHe believed that although China faces numerous economic and non-economic pressures, foreign trade enterprises are still striving to explore overseas markets, and policies to stabilize foreign trade continue to play their role.

In the long run, the economic and trade relations between China and Mexico still have broad space for cooperation. He Yadong pointed out that Mexico is already Chinas second-largest trading partner in Latin America, while China is Mexicos second-largest trading partner globally. From January to July this year, the total import and export value between China and Mexico reached 393.42 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 11.9%. These data clearly reflect the deep cooperative relationship between the two countries in the economic and trade field.

Overall, although Mexicos tariff adjustment has brought certain pressure to China-Mexico bilateral trade in the short term, from a long-term perspective, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries remains solid. China is willing to work with Mexico to promote the facilitation of trade and investment, ensuring the sustained and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations.