Tariff on Chinese cars: Will prices rise 10% in Guanajuato? Business leaders warn
Guanajuato.- A possible tariff on the import of cars assembled in China could increase the sale price of these vehicles in Mexico by up to 10%, warned Arturo González Palomino, president of the Guanajuato Automobile Dealers Association (AMDA).
Currently, there are 25 dealerships in the state selling Chinese-made cars, representing approximately 12% of new car sales. González Palomino noted that this increase would be a blow to local dealers and that the final cost would fall on the consumer.
"It could generate an inflationary spiral that the end consumer would end up paying for. Price is a key factor in the purchasing decision," he explained.
The leader emphasized that dealers in Guanajuato are local business owners committed to paying taxes and complying with legal requirements, regardless of the brand they represent.
Impact on industry and consumptionThe AMDA leader explained that the tariff could reach 30%, 10% more than what imports currently pay. Although the automotive industry has the capacity to make adjustments to absorb part of this increase, he acknowledged that the impact could extend to traditional brands on certain models.
"Since they couldn't have public policies to encourage investment, they now want to incentivize it with economic barriers," González Palomino criticized.
Import quota and business visionIn contrast, Rolando Alaniz Rosales, honorary president of the Guanajuato Automotive Cluster (Claugto), described the application of tariffs to protect the national industry as positive.
He recalled that for decades, a decree existed that allowed automakers based in Mexico to import up to 10% of their vehicles tariff-free, a benefit that ended last November. Since then, imports have been subject to a 20% tariff.
Alaniz Rosales emphasized that this change seeks to balance competition with countries that subsidize their industry and protect the more than 2 million jobs generated by the automotive sector in Mexico.
"Each auto assembly plant in turn triggers up to 50 supplier companies that also create jobs. Tariffs protect this production chain," he stated.
Mexico is planning to impose 50% tariffs on Chinese cars and other products.AM published on September 10 that to replace Asian imports with domestic products, the federal government intends to impose tariffs of up to 50% on auto parts, light vehicles, clothing, steel, textiles, paper, cardboard, glass, soaps, perfumes, and cosmetics.
Additionally, tariffs of 35% are planned for all imports of motorcycles, plastics, household appliances, toys, furniture, footwear, leather goods, aluminum, and trailers.
With this, Mexico would increase the tariff "to the maximum level allowed by the World Trade Organization (WTO)," according to Marcelo Ebrard, head of the Ministry of Economy.
The tariff increase would apply to products from 19 strategic industrial sectors grouped into 1,463 tariff lines and currently subject to import tariffs ranging from zero, such as trailers, to 35%, such as auto parts, clothing, certain furniture, and glass.
With this, the agency assured that 325,000 jobs that were at risk of disappearing will be protected, especially in the large industrial centers of Nuevo León, Jalisco, the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Querétaro, and other states across the country.
Currently, imports of products on that list of 1,463 items totaled $52 billion, or 8.6% of the total.
The Secretary of Economy said it was a proposal that was raised in the 2026 Economic Package, but the Congress of the Union will be responsible for approving it or modifying it.
Mexico doesn't want conflict with China over new 50% tariffs on Asian products. - Claudia SheinbaumAM published on Thursday that in response to the proposal in the 2026 Economic Package to apply 50% tariffs on auto parts, light vehicles, textile products, and steel to China, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico does not want a conflict with the Asian country and will seek dialogue.
"We're talking with the ambassadors here in Mexico; we don't want any conflict with any country. So, we're talking with them, with the Chinese ambassador to Mexico, who I recently had the opportunity—by the way—to receive his credentials from South Korea.
"We are explaining to them that this is a measure related to strengthening our economy and the Mexico Plan, but what we want is to talk, and discuss, without the need to generate any conflict. We are fully prepared to talk with all countries, and this is within the framework of the World Trade Organization; that is, the rules are established by the WTO, to which Mexico belongs, regarding the maximum amount a tax can be raised on imported products," Sheinbaum commented during her morning press conference.
HLL
A journalist at AM Newspaper for ten years. During her training, she began as an investigative reporter on Raúl Olmos's team, working on special investigations. For the past eight years, she has specialized in business and corporate reporting. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Latin American Institute of Sciences and Humanities. She holds a Diploma in Digital Journalism, including a Diploma in Digital Economic Journalism from the UDG Virtual University.
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