Mexico is weighing further trade measures to crack down on low-cost shipments into the country, an official said on Thursday, after slapping tariffs on so-called “de minimis” purchases largely coming from China.
“There is a political objective, which is cracking down on contraband,” deputy economy minister Vidal Llerenas said on a panel at the FinTech Mexico Festival. “That’s why measures have already been taken and more are being analysed.”
Mexico’s economy ministry in recent months has launched an offensive against cheap goods mostly from China, including counterfeit products, which had entered under previous low-cost exemptions. In January, Mexico began taxing many such imports.
Analysts called the move a bid to cut down shipments from e-commerce retailers such as Shein and Temu, some of which stop in Mexico before being sent to the US. US President Donald Trump has accused Mexico of being a backdoor for such goods, which Mexican officials have long denied.
Llerenas acknowledged US concerns on Thursday, saying the previous shipments of low-cost goods seemed to be abusing the system to avoid paying taxes.
“The US has wanted to be very aggressive regarding this topic,” Llerenas said, noting pressure from the administrations of Trump and former US President Joe Biden.
“It’s something we’re going to have to take a hard look at, so e-commerce benefits the consumer but without it opening the door to untaxed merchandise,” he added.
By Kylie Madry; Editing by Richard Chang
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‘De Minimis’: The Trade Perk Trump May End as China Tensions Rise, Explained
President Trump is considering changes to the US “de minimis” exemption on import tariffs, which has become controversial due to its role in trade imbalances and the rapid growth of Chinese e-commerce platforms.
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