Guan Jian: In-Depth Interpretation of China's Launch of Trade and Investment Barriers Investigation Against Mexico

　　On September 25, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce issued Announcement No. 53 of 2025, initiating a trade and investment barriers investigation into Mexico's relevant China-related restrictive measures.

　　A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated that China believes that, against the backdrop of the US's current abuse of tariffs, all countries should jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and must not sacrifice the interests of third parties due to coercion by others. Once implemented, Mexico's unilateral tariff increase, even within the WTO framework, would harm the interests of relevant trading partners, including China, severely affect the certainty of Mexico's business environment, and reduce corporate confidence in investing in Mexico. China firmly opposes this.

　　The spokesperson further stated that to resolutely safeguard the interests of China's related industries, the Ministry of Commerce has decided, in accordance with the Foreign Trade Law and the Rules for Foreign Trade Barriers Investigation, to initiate a trade and investment barriers investigation into Mexico's proposed restrictive measures such as increasing import tariffs on Chinese goods.

　　Guan Jian, partner at Beijing Guangwen Law Firm, stated in an exclusive interview with Yicai that the Rules for Foreign Trade Barriers Investigation stipulate two scenarios that constitute trade barriers: first, measures that violate multilateral or bilateral agreements and treaties; second, measures that cause negative trade and investment effects.

　　Therefore, China can certainly initiate the aforementioned investigation against Mexico. Guan Jian explained, "The existence of either of the above scenarios can constitute a trade or investment barrier. Violation of an agreement or treaty is not a prerequisite for initiating a trade and investment barriers investigation. As long as the relevant measures or practices cause or may cause negative trade and investment effects, it is sufficient to constitute a trade or investment barrier."