Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced Thursday that Mexico will temporarily impose a 35% tariff on more than 100 finished textile imports in order to protect the Mexican textile/clothing industry.

Speaking at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference, Ebrard said that a 35% tariff that already applies to some textile imports will apply to 138 additional “made” or finished textile products such as clothes.

The tariff, which will be imposed on products imported from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have a free trade agreement, appears to be mainly targeted at cheap Chinese clothing.

Ebrard said that the 35% tariff on 138 additional textile products “complements” the list of textile products on which a 35% tariff was imposed in April. In late April, Mexico implemented 5–50% tariffs on more than 500 goods imported from countries with which it doesn’t have a free trade agreement.

Ebrard also announced on Thursday that a 15% tariff will apply to 17 categories of unfinished “textile goods.”

He said that the 15% tariff would also “complement” tariffs that were imposed earlier this year. In addition, Ebard said that Mexico was “increasing the list of [textile] products that can’t be imported” to Mexico. He said that some companies are importing certain textiles as inputs for final goods to be exported, but are in fact selling them as is in Mexico and consequently evading the payment of taxes.

“In summary, we’re increasing to 35% the tariff on finished [textile] products … that [are currently sold at] unbelievably low prices. We’re increasing to 15% [tariffs on] the importation of [unfinished] textile goods to protect our national industry. And we’re closing this door that is being abused,” he said.

Ebrard said that Sheinbaum “instructed” the Economy Ministry to impose the new tariffs.