Mexico postpones tariff cuts on clothing, footwear and hats

The Mexican Ministry of Economy will postpone one-year tariff cuts on 94 items such as textiles, clothing and footwear to promote employment and economic development in various regions of Mexico. As the quality of Mexican apparel fabrics and the level of industrial technology continue to increase, in terms of apparel exports, the scale of China's exports has continued to expand.

In order to promote employment and economic development in various regions of Mexico, the Mexican Ministry of Economy decided to postpone the reduction of tariffs until 2014. The Mexican Ministry of Economy will postpone one-year tariff cuts on 94 items such as textiles, clothing and footwear. 94 items accounted for 7% of 1339 kinds of textile, clothing, footwear and hat products. Some products affected by this measure are suits, sweaters, shirts, jackets, pants, underwear, baby clothes, socks, clothes, swimwear and skirts.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that postponing one-year tariff cuts will help domestic companies to consolidate their plans and production models, which is in line with the government's industrial and commercial policies. Employment in the clothing and footwear industry accounts for more than 10% of total manufacturing employment in Mexico. Delaying tariff cuts until 2014 will promote employment and economic development in various regions of Mexico.

As the quality of Mexican apparel fabrics and the level of industrial technology continue to increase, the scale of Mexican brand apparel exports to China has continued to expand in recent years. According to statistics of the National Mexican Chamber of Commerce of Clothing, Mexico exported 2.9 million US dollars to China in 2012, an increase of 25% over the previous year, accounting for 5% of Mexican apparel exports. From January to April 2013, Mexico exported 1.8 million U.S. dollars to China, an increase of 163 percent year-on-year. According to the analysis, the free trade agreement signed by Mexico provides an opportunity for companies to enter the Asian market.