Politics · Mexico · 9 hrs ago
Sheinbaum says alleged Chinese goods rerouting into Mexico is limited
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said alleged rerouting of Chinese goods through Mexico is limited ahead of her planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The allegation is that goods from China pass through Mexico and are then sent to the United States without gaining significant value in Mexico.
Sheinbaum said this happens very little, and that many imports are processed in Mexico before being exported.
Mexico imposed new tariffs in January on goods from countries without free-trade agreements, including duties of up to 35% on some steel products.
Ternium chief executive Máximo Vedoya said some steel imports still avoid the tariff through under-invoicing, smuggling or shipments through other countries.
The dispute concerns how trade rules and tariffs are being applied as Mexico seeks to strengthen local industries and exports.
At the APEC summit in China, Sheinbaum plans to promote cooperation and investment through her Plan Mexico and discuss relations with Xi.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said the rerouting of goods through Mexico to avoid trade restrictions occurs only to a limited extent.
She described the practice as products said to come from other countries entering Mexico and then being shipped to the United States without added value in Mexico.
She said Mexico has data that its Economy Ministry can present and noted that imports and exports with added value also take place.
Ternium chief executive Máximo Vedoya warned that some foreign steel entering Mexico avoids a 35 percent tariff through under-invoicing, smuggling or shipment through third countries.
Sheinbaum made her comments ahead of a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit.
- Who
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the alleged rerouting was limited. Ternium chief executive Máximo Vedoya warned that some foreign steel avoids tariffs.
- What
- Sheinbaum said the triangulation of goods through Mexico occurs only to a limited extent.
- When
- November 13, 2026. She was speaking days before a planned meeting with Xi Jinping.
- Where
- Mexico. Sheinbaum was speaking at her regular morning news conference.
- Why
- She was responding to questions about allegations of dumping and goods being routed through Mexico to reach the United States.
Claudia Sheinbaum
Máximo Vedoya
Extent of tariff evasion
Claudia Sheinbaum
Sheinbaum said rerouting occurs very little.
Máximo Vedoya
Vedoya said much of the foreign steel still entering Mexico avoids the 35 percent tariff through under-invoicing, smuggling or shipment through third countries.
Mexico imposed new tariffs on goods from countries with which it has no free trade agreements, including rates of up to 35 percent on some steel products.
Sheinbaum said the alleged triangulation of goods through Mexico occurs only to a limited extent.
Sheinbaum was due to meet Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in China.
- Speaker
- Claudia Sheinbaum
- Statement date
- November 13, 2026
- Upcoming meeting
- Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in China
- Steel tariff
- Up to 35 percent on some products
- Tariff-evasion methods cited
- Under-invoicing, smuggling and shipment through third countries
What people are saying
The triangulation issue is talked about a lot, but it is not that much, and we have data that the Economy Ministry can present.
It happens very little.
There is always importing, value added and exports to the United States.