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1. 2026 Economic Package: A People-Centered Budget for Social Development

Mexico unveiled its 2026 Economic Package amid trade and geopolitical tensions that continue to test macroeconomic stability. Finance Minister Edgar Amador Zamora noted that during the first half of 2025, GDP exceeded expectations compared to the previous year and is expected to grow between 0.5% and 1.5%. During a press conference on the 2026 Economic Package, the federal official noted that spending for the coming year will focus on continuing social and infrastructure public policy, which has helped improve people’s lives in recent years.

Tax revenues from the higher Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) on sugary drinks and tobacco are expected to generate 41 billion pesos. Specifically, he pointed out that fiscal policy becomes a contributor to public health, as these revenues will be directed to the health sector. Additionally, in terms of tax collection, additional revenue is expected from the proposal to eliminate the deduction of fees paid to the Institute for the Protection of Bank Savings (IPAB) by banks to pay off the FOBAPROA debt, with projections reaching 10 billion pesos per year.

IMER Noticias: Paquete Económico de 2026: Presupuesto humanista para el desarrollo social  

2. Proposal to apply special taxes to violent video games, betting shops, soft drinks, sweeteners, and flavored beverages

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed applying a special tax of 8% on video games with violent content as part of the Economic Package. According to the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), the “healthy tax” aims to discourage the consumption of goods that have an impact on the physical and mental health of the population. This tax package also includes a tax on online gambling of 30% to 50% on the total amount wagered, as reports indicate that economic and social damage to gamblers and their families has increased.

Through this tax, the Mexican government seeks to raise around 183 million pesos, which will also be applied to sugary drinks and tobacco, the abuse of which causes diseases such as obesity, lung cancer, and diabetes, doubling the current amount of $1.6451 mxn in 2025 to $3.0818 mxn per liter starting in 2026. Artificial and natural sweeteners in the tax base will also be taxed on the grounds that excessive consumption of sugars and sweeteners contributes to the prevalence of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, problems that affect 76.2% of the adult population in Mexico, according to official reports.

El Universal: Proponen impuesto especial de 8% a videojuegos violentos en Paquete Económico 2026; buscan recaudar casi 200 millones de pesos
Infobae: Refrescos, cigarros y videojuegos: ¿quiénes pagarán más impuestos según el Paquete Económico 2026?

3. Reform of Customs Law tightens controls and seeks to curb tax evasion and smuggling

The federal government presented a reform to the Customs Law that tightens controls on foreign trade. The initiative requires the digitization of processes using artificial intelligence, biometrics, and real-time monitoring; mandates the use of CFDI for the transport of goods; establishes legal co-responsibility among agents, agencies, and companies; and increases penalties for improper practices. Customs agent and agency licenses would be valid for ten years and renewable under strict requirements, such as passing a psychometric test, submitting annual financial reports, and not having family ties or interests with other agencies. A new Customs Council will be able to suspend, cancel, or revoke licenses, and authorization will expire if the agent ceases to practice for six months.

The reform also strengthens the IMMEX regime with safeguards to ensure that imports are destined for export and regulates courier and parcel companies through a simplified procedure with renewable authorization every two years, online supervision, and a risk analysis system, subject to cancellation by ANAM in case of non-compliance. Although no new taxes are being created, the measure seeks to increase revenue by closing loopholes for tax evasion and smuggling.

El Financiero: Reforma a la Ley de Aduanas: ¿De qué trata la propuesta presentada por Sheinbaum al Congreso?

4. Mexico seeks to raise tariffs to 50% on Chinese cars to protect jobs

As part of its 2026 Economic Package, the Mexican government proposed increasing tariffs on Chinese automobiles, currently taxed at 20%, by up to 50%, thus reaching the maximum allowed by the WTO. The measure would cover 1,463 tariff items, including strategic sectors such as automotive, textiles, household appliances, and motorcycles, with the aim of protecting around 320,000 jobs and stimulating productive investment in the country. In addition, it seeks to strengthen national industrial policy, increase tax revenue, and respond to geo-economic tensions arising from the growing presence of Chinese products in the Mexican market. The imposition of these tariffs is intended as an effort to balance competition with trading partners and provide certainty to manufacturers producing within the national territory.

In sectors such as light vehicles, auto parts, clothing, motorcycles, and household appliances, current tariffs range from 0% to 35%, but under the proposal, they could increase to a maximum of 35% or 50%, depending on the tariff classification. The measure is part of the 2026 Economic Package and seeks to balance the trade balance with China in the face of growing imports, thus protecting domestic industry. With this adjustment, the government aims to protect domestic production from Chinese imports, close loopholes for unfair competition, and strengthen public revenues without creating new taxes. In addition, the measure is expected to contribute to the stability of the domestic market and support the sectors most vulnerable to international competition.

El Financiero: Busca México elevar aranceles a 50% para automóviles chinos

5. Lawmakers approve Sheinbaum’s proposed reform of the Anti-Extortion Law

The Chamber of Deputies approved the ruling submitted by Claudia Sheinbaum on extortion, which reforms section XXI of article 73 of the Constitution, with the aim of empowering the Congress of the Union to issue a general law establishing, at a minimum, the criminal offenses and corresponding penalties related to extortion. The approved text states that, through the proposed constitutional amendment, Congress will issue a general law that unifies and contemplates the criminal offense of extortion, its aggravating circumstances, related crimes, and applicable penalties, in addition to fulfilling the general objectives of prevention, investigation, and effective response mechanisms for victims, offended persons, and witnesses.

The ruling establishes that the crime of extortion has evolved alongside the development of new technologies and its relationship with organized crime, exceeding the scope of current legislation. At the same time, there has been a diversification of types of extortion, given that each state has defined its own criminal classification and penalties, which has made it difficult to effectively address the crime. That is why Congress approved the creation of a general law that harmonizes, systematizes, and standardizes the matter, in order to adequately combat this crime.

Infobae:  Diputados aprueban reforma propuesta por Sheinbaum para que el Congreso expida Ley contra Extorsión