President Claudia Sheinbaum defended a tariff increase on goods from China and other countries with which Mexico has no trade agreements, saying the measure was intended to strengthen the national economy.

Beijing had reacted angrily to Mexico's Congress on Wednesday approving a tariff rise on imports of automobiles, textiles, clothing, plastics, appliances and other products -- primarily affecting Chinese goods.

The move would "substantially harm the interests of relevant trading partners, including China", Beijing said Thursday.

"China... hopes Mexico will promptly rectify this erroneous practice of unilateralism and protectionism," a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

The ministry also noted an ongoing trade barrier investigation China launched against Mexic

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