Global Trade Divergence: US and Mexico Raise Tariffs While China Cuts Duties to Bolster High-Tech Industries

The global trade landscape saw a significant divergence in tariff policies in early 2026, with the United States and Mexico implementing protectionist measures while China moved to lower import barriers on key industrial inputs. These conflicting strategies highlight a growing split in economic priorities among major trading nations.

Effective January 15, 2026, the United States imposed a new 25% ad valorem duty on certain high-performance semiconductors and products containing them, according to guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Section 232 duties, which apply to imports from all countries, were implemented via new provisions in Chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Dimerco reports that the move is part of a broader set of trade actions, with exemptions available based on technical performance and U.S. end-use.

In a similar protectionist shift, Mexico enacted a significant tariff regime on January 12, 2026, imposing duties ranging from 5% to 50% on 1,463 different tariff classifications. According to Peacock Tariff Consulting, these tariffs target countries that do not have a free trade agreement with Mexico, including major trading partners like China, India, and South Korea, and cover a wide array of sectors.

In stark contrast, China implemented provisional import tariff reductions on 935 commodities, effective January 1, 2026. Peacock Tariff Consulting reports this is a strategic move to upgrade China’s industrial sector by lowering the cost of high-end manufacturing inputs. The tariff cuts, estimated between 15-25%, apply to vital components for robotics and semiconductor manufacturing, such as precision speed reducers and photoresist dispersions. The adjustment is expected to impact approximately 3.2 trillion yuan in import trade. This action, aimed at bolstering domestic high-tech manufacturing, stands in direct opposition to the tariff hikes imposed by the U.S. and Mexico.