US Tariffs Raise Concerns for Mexican Appliance Exports

Mexico, the second-largest exporter of home appliances to the United States, stands to be affected by new 50% tariffs that President Donald Trump’s administration plans to impose starting June 23. This new tariff comes on top of the 50% already applicable to steel, aluminum, and related products. US customs will now apply it to additional items, including washing machines, dishwashers, stoves, and ovens.

Products subject to the new 50% tariff include combination refrigerators-freezers, dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, vertical and horizontal freezers, stoves, food waste disposal units, and welded wire racks.

In 2024, Mexico exported US$9.462 billion in home appliances to the US, surpassed only by China, which exported US$18.547 billion, according to data from the Department of Commerce. Breaking down by product, Mexico’s exports of major home appliances fell by 3.5% year-on-year in 2024, totaling US$7.857 billion. This includes refrigerators, conventional and microwave ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers, among others. Meanwhile, Mexico’s export of small appliances, blenders, mixers, humidifiers, electric cooking equipment, and vacuum cleaners, rose by 9.3% to US$1.605 billion in 2024.

US imports of home appliances from all over the world amounted to US$41.887 billion in 2024, reflecting a 6.3% year-on-year growth. Other major suppliers included South Korea (US$3.301 billion), Thailand (US$2.003 billion), Vietnam (US$1.807 billion), and Canada (US$992 million). From January to April 2025, Mexico’s export of these products fell by 0.3% year-on-year, totaling US$3.014 billion.

Mexico Seeks Tariff Reprieve

Last week, Mexican Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard asked US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to lift the new steel and aluminum tariffs, including their related products, arguing that the US runs a surplus with Mexico in these sectors and that the policy is hurting employment in both the US and Mexico due to their intertwined production chains.

In 2024, the US had a surplus of US$4.562 billion in its steel and aluminum trade with Mexico, with exports totaling US$15 billion.