Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday announced retaliatory tariffs against US’s “unilateral decision” to impose 25% tariffs on its goods.
“I want to make it clear today that we will always seek a negotiated solution as we have proposed within the framework of respect for our sovereignty,” Sheinbaum said.
“But the unilateral decision taken by the United States affects national and foreign companies that operate in our country and affects our people. Therefore, we have decided to respond with tariff and non-tariff measures,” she added.
She also accused the States of publishing “an offensive, defamatory and unsupported statement,” after the White House alleged in its tariff announcement that the Mexican government had “afforded safe havens for the cartels.”
Unlike China and Canada, Mexico chose to delay its response until Sunday, despite saying since January that it had a prepared plan for this exact situation.
The tariffs threatened by Trump against Canada and Mexico took effect on Tuesday, increasing the risk of retaliation from the US’s North American allies.
In response to US tariffs on China, Beijing announced additional tariffs of up to 15% on key US farm products, including chicken, pork, soy, and beef, while also expanding restrictions on US businesses. Canada too announced 25% tariffs against US.
China’s new tariffs, effective March 10, follow Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 20% and impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, both of which took effect on Tuesday.