On the 25th, the Ministry of Commerce website released a statement. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered questions regarding the initiation of a trade and investment barrier investigation into relevant measures against China by Mexico.

Question: We have noticed that the Ministry of Commerce has issued an announcement initiating a trade and investment barrier investigation into relevant measures against China by Mexico. Could you introduce the related situation?

Answer: The Chinese side believes that in the current context where the U.S. is arbitrarily imposing tariffs, all countries should jointly oppose various forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and absolutely not sacrifice the interests of third parties due to others' coercion. Once Mexico's unilateral tax increase measures are implemented, even if they are within the framework of the WTO, they will harm the interests of relevant trade partners including China, and will also seriously affect the certainty of Mexico's business environment, reducing enterprises' confidence in investing in Mexico. The Chinese side firmly opposes this.

To resolutely safeguard the interests of China's relevant industries, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to initiate a trade and investment barrier investigation into the measures proposed by Mexico to raise import tariffs on Chinese products and other restrictions, based on the relevant provisions of the "Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "Rules for Foreign Trade Barrier Investigations."

This investigation will adhere to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency. The Ministry of Commerce welcomes all interested parties, including domestic industries and enterprises in China, who are affected by Mexico's measures to actively participate in the investigation. The Ministry of Commerce will make objective and fair decisions based on the investigation results, and take necessary measures as appropriate to resolutely safeguard its legitimate and proper rights and interests.

The Ministry of Commerce website announced a trade and investment barrier investigation into relevant measures against China by Mexico:

According to the relevant provisions of the "Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "Rules for Foreign Trade Barrier Investigations" of the Ministry of Commerce, to maintain the order of foreign trade, the Ministry of Commerce may independently investigate trade and investment barriers in relevant countries and regions.

Information and preliminary evidence obtained by the Ministry of Commerce indicate that according to a proposal published in the Mexican Congressional Gazette on September 9, 2025, the Mexican government plans to increase import tariff rates on products from non-free trade partners such as China. This measure will severely damage the trade and investment interests of Chinese enterprises.

According to the provisions of Article 36 and 37 of the "Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China" and Articles 12 and 35 of the "Rules for Foreign Trade Barrier Investigations," the Ministry of Commerce has decided to initiate a trade and investment barrier investigation into the relevant measures against China by Mexico, starting from September 25, 2025. The following matters are hereby announced:

One, the investigated measures and involved products

The investigated measures in this case are the measures taken by the Mexican government to increase import tariff rates on products from non-free trade partners such as China. These specific products include cars and parts, textiles, clothing, plastics, steel, home appliances, aluminum, toys, furniture, shoes, leather goods, paper and cardboard, motorcycles, glass, etc. In addition, other trade and investment restriction measures taken by Mexico in recent years involving China are also within the scope of this investigation.

Two, investigation procedures

According to the provisions of the "Rules for Foreign Trade Barrier Investigations," the Ministry of Commerce may use questionnaires, hearings, on-site investigations, and other methods to understand the situation of interested parties and conduct the investigation.

Three, investigation period

This case shall be concluded within six months from the date of the announcement of the decision to initiate the case. In special circumstances, it may be extended, but the extension shall not exceed three months.

Four, access to public information

Interested parties may download or visit the Ministry of Commerce's Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau sub-website to search, read, copy, and photocopy the public information of this case (phone number: 0086-10-65197878).

Five, comments on the initiation of the case

Comments from interested parties on the issues related to the initiation of the case should be submitted in writing to the Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce within 20 days from the release of this announcement.

Six, submission and handling of information

Interested parties submitting comments, questionnaires, etc., during the investigation should submit electronic versions through the "Trade Remedy Investigation Information Platform" (

https://etrb.mofcom.gov.cn) and, according to the requirements of the Ministry of Commerce, also submit written versions. The content of the electronic version and the written version should be the same, and the format should be consistent.

If interested parties believe that their provided information would cause serious adverse consequences if leaked, they may apply to the Ministry of Commerce to treat the information as confidential and explain the reasons. If the Ministry of Commerce agrees to the request, the interested party applying for confidentiality shall simultaneously provide a non-confidential summary of the confidential information. The non-confidential summary shall contain sufficient meaningful information so that other interested parties can reasonably understand the confidential information. If a non-confidential summary cannot be provided, the reason should be explained. If the information submitted by the interested party does not indicate the need for confidentiality, the Ministry of Commerce will consider the information as public information.

Seven, contact address of the Ministry of Commerce

Address: No. 2, Dong Chang'an Street, Beijing

Postal code: 100731

Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Commerce

Phone: 0086-10-65198155, 65198070

Fax: 0086-10-65198172

Related website: Sub-website of the Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce (https://trb.mofcom.gov.cn)

Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China

September 25, 2025

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7554013290905616930/

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