Mexico imposes tariffs on imported footwear to safeguard its domestic industry
Mexico City, Mexico - The Mexican government has announced the elimination of a temporary trade regime for tariff-free imported finished footwear, a move aimed at protecting the domestic industry from competition posed by duty-free imports from large global producers such as China and Vietnam.
According to official data from 2024, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Italy, and the US are the main suppliers of footwear and headwear to Mexico. The decision to eliminate the temporary trade regime was announced on Thursday during Sheinbaum's morning press conference.
The temporary import permit for finished shoes, approved in 2021, allowed domestic companies to import shoes without paying taxes for both foreign and local markets. However, the misuse of this regime led to Mexico exporting less than one pair of shoes for every one imported in 2024, compared to exporting six pairs for every one imported in 2021.
The government did not report which countries the imports affected by the measures for the footwear industry come from. Marcelo Ebrard, the secretary of Economy, stated that this measure will help recover and increase jobs in the footwear industry and increase domestic production.
This move is part of a series of measures implemented by the left-wing government to protect the Mexican textile and footwear industries. Similar measures were adopted in December 2024 to protect the Mexican textile industry, including the imposition of temporary tariffs on a series of garments and inputs and the expansion of a list of textile products excluded from the tariff-free import program.
The global trade offensive promoted by President Donald Trump is ongoing, and Mexico is heavily involved as the largest trading partner of the US. This type of measure usually does not affect countries with which Mexico has free trade agreements.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that this decision has reduced production and employment in the sector. Sheinbaum also mentioned that similar measures were adopted in December 2024 to protect the Mexican textile industry.
The government's decision is part of a broader strategy to support domestic industries and create more employment opportunities in Mexico. The decision aims to level the playing field for local manufacturers and encourage the growth of the domestic footwear industry.
The elimination of the temporary trade regime for imported finished footwear is expected to have a positive impact on the Mexican economy and create more jobs in the footwear industry. The government will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust its policies as needed to support the growth and development of the domestic footwear industry.
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