Over 20 Chinese automakers sell cars south of the border.
One of the biggest fears that policymakers on Capitol Hill have expressed in their legislation is the potential use of a “back door” for Chinese automakers entering the U.S. auto market by establishing factories in Mexico.
However, politicians on both sides of the aisle can breathe a little bit easier, as recent action by the Mexican government seeks to dissuade such action by brands like Chery and BYD.
As per a report by Reuters, the Mexican federal government will stop offering Chinese automakers government incentives to put up factories in the nation.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that during a meeting with representatives from BYD, Mexican officials explained that it would not be offering any governmental support for building any of its factories. Additionally, they noted that the government will also pause all future meetings with other Chinese automakers.
In the past, Mexico has offered foreign automakers from General Motors (GM) to BMW (BMWYY) entire packages of government support, such as free land, water and electricity to attract the establishment of new, skilled jobs in various regions.
In February 2024, Nikkei reported that BYD was considering the idea of building a plant in Mexico, specifically to establish an export hub to the United States.
Sources speaking to Reuters said that the decision was made out of pressure from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which has been trying to keep Chinese automakers from taking advantage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the North American free trade zone.
When asked about the situation, the office did not confirm that it had a role in ending incentives. However, the office did tell Reuters that the intent for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was not for those looking for “a back door to China and others who may be seeking to access our market without paying […] tariffs.”
