China–Mexico Daily Brief | US–China call presses commitments on rare earths and farm purchases
Today: the US–China trade call, tariffs and USMCA under the new US Congress, October car sales by Chinese brands, and the 2027 rules-of-origin talks.
Bessent and Greer call He Lifeng and press China on rare-earth and farm-purchase commitments
The US Trade Representative's office said Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a videoconference with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on 6 November. Greer stressed that China must take concrete action to fully implement past commitments, particularly on agricultural purchases, rare earths and other critical minerals. According to El Economista, the Treasury said Bessent asked China to implement the October 2025 Busan commitments "fully and immediately" and voiced concern about recent Chinese measures, without naming them. The paper adds that the call came less than two weeks before the APEC leaders' meeting in China.
Why it matters
How US–China ties develop shapes tariff expectations and the scrutiny of goods that reach the US via Mexico. If the US is your end market, confirm current origin and tariff requirements with your customs broker or lawyer.
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Sources
- USTR — Readout of Ambassador Greer's Call with China's Vice Premier He Lifeng · · English
- El Economista · · Spanish
Democrats take Congress: pledges to reverse tariffs and keep USMCA, but a rollback looks hard
El Economista reports that Democrat Richard Neal, who may chair the House Ways and Means Committee, pledged on 6 November to reverse Trump's "unjustified" tariffs and said his priority is keeping the USMCA; he sees the six-year review clause as room to improve the deal. He gave no legislative details. A Bloomberg analysis carried by El Financiero says a rollback would need majorities large enough to override a presidential veto, so Democrats would need Republican votes, and that there is bipartisan support for a firm line on China. It adds that Trump could announce new tariffs tied to industrial overcapacity, affecting more than a dozen economies, before the new Congress takes office.
Why it matters
The tariff path stays uncertain in the near term; for Chinese companies, the USMCA review and the bipartisan consensus on China matter more. Check pricing and investment timing with your customs broker, lawyer or accountant.
Check your code with the tariff lookup tool
Sources
- El Economista · · Spanish
- El Financiero (Bloomberg) · · Spanish
Mexico's October car sales rise 3.1%, best October in a decade; Geely and Jetour Soueast gain, Changan and Great Wall fall
El Financiero, citing the dealers' association AMDA and INEGI's light-vehicle registry, reports 137,438 new light vehicles sold in October, up 3.1% year on year and the best October since 2016. January–October sales total 1,287,268 units, up 4.8%. Chinese brands diverged: Geely rose 75.8% and Jetour Soueast 52.5%, while Changan fell 24%, Great Wall 25.2%, JAC 4.3% and MG Motor 0.2%.
Why it matters
The market is expanding, but the gap between Chinese brands is wide, so product fit and channel clearly matter. If you plan to enter Mexico's car or parts market, confirm import, certification and tax set-up with your lawyer or accountant.
Sources
- El Financiero · · Spanish
- AMDA — Alcanzaron 3.1 y 4.8% la venta de automotores nuevos durante octubre · · Spanish
USMCA rules-of-origin talks expected in 2027; industry warns tougher rules could deter investment
Expansión reported on 6 November that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said talks on rules of origin would be taken up in 2027. Kenneth Smith of COMCE's bilateral business committee warned that new demands should not cause disinvestment in the auto sector; Francisco González, president of the auto-parts association INA, said companies also need long-term stability in tax, customs, labour and investment rules. The article explains that rules of origin set how much of a vehicle must be made in North America to receive treaty tariff benefits, and that raising them means changing suppliers and absorbing costs.
Why it matters
If your product or component relies on Chinese supply chains and is re-exported to North America, changes to origin rules could affect cost and market access. Confirm which rules and timelines apply with your customs broker or lawyer.
Check your code with the tariff lookup tool
Sources
- Expansión · · Spanish