Mexican President: There is no coercion against China
AFP reported on the 12th that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied that the country has imposed coercive punitive measures on China. Under U.S. pressure, Mexico will impose a maximum of 50% import tariffs on cars, steel, and textile products from countries such as China. Sheinbaum also stated that she will hold talks with Beijing next week.
Mexican female president once again emphasized, "These measures are not coercive measures, nor are they targeted at China... especially not at any country." The president insisted that Mexico hopes to "continue maintaining good relations with China."
The Mexican female president also said, "The goal is to strengthen domestic production," the president added, and pointed out that the bill involves goods from about 20 industries and countries in Mexico that have not yet signed a free trade agreement with it. "Our exports to these countries are very small."
According to the Mexican government, China is the largest supplier to Mexico that has not signed a trade agreement, and this tariff increase will have a significant impact on it, especially in the automotive industry, because Chinese cars account for 30% of the market for light vehicles in Mexico.
Comments: The statement by the Mexican president essentially tries to find a balance between the pressure from the U.S. and the relationship with China. The rhetoric cannot conceal the contradictory nature of the policy.
On one hand, she repeatedly emphasized "no coercion, not targeting China," expressing willingness to maintain good relations with China, even planning talks next week. This is an acknowledgment of the importance of Sino-Mexican economic and trade cooperation - after all, China is a key supplier to Mexico, and the dependence on China in areas such as automobiles is not low, directly being tough on China does not conform to its interests.
But on the other hand, under the pressure of the U.S., Mexico has imposed a maximum of 50% tariffs on China and other countries, and explicitly identified China as the main target (Chinese cars account for 30% of the Mexican market), the actual purpose of the policy is clearly contradictory to the statement of "not targeting." The so-called "strengthening domestic production" and "targeting countries that have not signed a free trade agreement" are more like justifications for the tariff measures, hiding the fact that they are influenced by external pressures.
This approach of "verbal favor + actual tax increases" aims to ease the relationship with China to avoid economic damage, while also responding to U.S. demands, but ultimately may end up in a "difficult position" - if the tariffs are actually implemented, cooperation in sectors such as automobiles between China and Mexico will inevitably be affected; if the policy is adjusted due to Chinese opposition, it may offend the United States and expose its passive position in the great power game.
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1843106552619011/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.