Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will postpone approving a proposal to increase tariffs on nearly 1,500 products from China and other Asian countries while negotiations are conducted and revisions are considered.
The proposal was submitted in September and aims to raise tariffs by up to 50% on products including automobiles, textiles, plastics, and steel from countries that don’t have trade agreements with Mexico, including China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, and Turkey.
China responded that it will take “necessary measures” to protect its “legitimate rights and interests.” The Sheinbaum administration stated that the tariffs are intended to protect domestic industries, although this move also aligns with U.S. pressure for Mexico to reduce economic ties with China.
Mexico
Mexico is a country with a rich pre-Columbian history, home to advanced civilizations like the Maya and Aztec, whose iconic ruins such as Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacán still stand today. Following the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, it became a vibrant fusion of indigenous and European cultures, evident in its traditions, cuisine, and architecture. Today, Mexico is renowned for its diverse landscapes, from beaches to mountains, and its lively cultural contributions like mariachi music and Dia de los Muertos.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is renowned for its profound cultural heritage, including inventions like paper and gunpowder, and iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Today, it is a rapidly modernizing nation that blends its ancient traditions with contemporary global influence.
South Korea
South Korea is a vibrant East Asian nation on the Korean Peninsula, known for its rapid modernization and deep-rooted Confucian traditions. Its history includes the Three Kingdoms period, the Joseon Dynasty, and a difficult 20th century marked by Japanese colonization and the Korean War, which led to its division from North Korea. Today, it is a global leader in technology and pop culture, while also preserving ancient palaces, temples, and customs.
India
India is a South Asian country with one of the world’s oldest civilizations, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization around 2500 BCE. It is the birthplace of four major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—and has a rich history marked by ancient empires, the Mughal era, and British colonial rule. Today, it is renowned for its vast cultural diversity, numerous languages, and iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago of over 17,000 islands, with a history shaped by powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires like Srivijaya and Majapahit, followed by centuries of Dutch colonial rule. It is a culturally diverse nation, home to hundreds of ethnic groups and languages, and is renowned for landmarks such as the Borobudur Temple, a massive 9th-century Buddhist monument. The country declared its independence in 1945 and is now the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
Russia
Russia is a vast transcontinental nation spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, with a history that dates back to the Kievan Rus’ state of the 9th century. It evolved into the powerful Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, a defining superpower of the 20th century, before becoming the modern Russian Federation. The country is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including iconic landmarks like the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, world-famous literature, ballet, and classical music.
Thailand
Thailand is a Southeast Asian nation with a rich cultural heritage shaped by centuries of independent kingdoms, most notably the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya empires. It is unique in the region for never having been colonized by a European power. The country is renowned for its ornate Buddhist temples, vibrant street food culture, and popular tropical destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and its southern islands.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, renowned for its rich history as the seat of powerful empires like the Byzantine and Ottoman. Its cultural landscape is defined by iconic landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia and the rock formations of Cappadocia, reflecting a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences. Modern Turkey is a vibrant republic, established in 1923, which preserves this vast historical legacy while being a dynamic contemporary society.
