The Trump administration told Mexican officials that they should put their own duties on Chinese imports as part of their efforts to avoid tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was among U.S. officials who conveyed that message at a meeting Thursday in Washington with a Mexican delegation, including Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, according to the people, who asked not to be identified describing private discussions. U.S. Trade Representative  (USTR) nominee Jamieson Greer and White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett also attended the meeting.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ramped up efforts to crack down on cheap imports from China, a move to support domestic industries as well as appease a Trump administration that’s threatening 25 per cent tariffs on its North American trade partners.

The Commerce Department and USTR, as well as Mexico’s Foreign Affairs and Economy ministries, didn’t respond to requests for comment. The White House also didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Mexico didn’t make any commitment on China during the meeting, the people said, which ended with an agreement to establish a working group from both countries to continue exploring trade and tariff issues.

Ebrard said in a post on X that the Washington meeting was the start of “a constructive dialogue, and joint work will begin on Monday.”

Trump has demanded Mexico and Canada both do more to restrict the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the United States or face 25 per cent tariffs. Originally set for Feb. 1, the White House delayed implementing those duties for a month. Meanwhile, the U.S. imposed an additional 10 per cent tariff on all imports from China.

—With assistance from Maya Averbuch.

Bloomberg.com