On December 10, Mexico’s Senate passed a major bill, in which there is a provision to impose up to 50% tariff on Asian countries like China, India, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. This is exactly like Trump’s tariff, which will come into effect from 2026. Mexico has taken this step by adopting a protectionist policy like the administration of US President Donald Trump, where Trump has also imposed heavy tariffs on Asian countries.

More impact on non-FTA countries

Tariff will be imposed or increased on about 1400 products of Asian countries. Automobiles, auto parts, clothes, footwear, plastics, steel, furniture, toys, aluminum and glass related goods exported to Mexico will be expensive. Countries which do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mexico will be more affected.

This bill was passed rapidly in the Mexican Parliament. The Lower House approved it on December 10, and the Senate passed the bill by a 76–5 vote. President Sheinbaum had made this proposal in September 2025 itself and she is going to sign it soon.

Mexico trying to please America

Donald Trump has put pressure on Mexico to distance itself from China. The US-Mexico-Canada Trade Deal (USMCA) is due to be reviewed in 2026, and the US is considering Mexico as a ‘backdoor’ entry point for China. Experts are saying this is an attempt to please Washington. Like America, Mexico is also moving towards protectionism. This will strengthen Mexico’s local factories and more than 3 lakh jobs can be saved. But imported parts will be expensive, which may increase inflation. Mexican business groups have opposed this.

India-Mexico trade to be worth $11.7 billion in 2024

According to reports, trade between India and Mexico has increased in the last few years. In 2022, trade between the two countries was worth $11.4 billion, however, there was a decline in 2023 and it was $10.6 billion. In 2024, trade jumped to $11.7 billion, which is an all-time high. India’s trade surplus with Mexico is also very high. In 2024, India exported goods worth $8.9 billion to Mexico, while imported goods worth only $2.8 billion.

Earthquake in tajikistan: According to the National Earthquake Science Center (NCS), on Sunday (April 13), a 4.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in Tajikistan. The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 10 km above the ground.

The NCS reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was 38.98 degrees north latitude and 70.61 degrees pre -longitude. Posting on X (first Twitter), NCS wrote, “Earthquake intensity: 4.5, date: 13 April 2025, time: 8:04 pm (IST), location: Tajikistan, Depth: 10 km.”

Two more earthquakes in Tajikistan

According to the National Earthquake Science Center, two more earthquakes were recorded in Tajikistan on Sunday. The intensity of the first earthquake was 6.1 on the Richter scale, while the intensity of the second was 3.9. Both earthquakes came at a depth of 10 km from the ground.

The United Nations Development Coordination Office says that the areas of Tajikistan and the weak communities living there are constantly in danger of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and landslides. These disasters are becoming even more dangerous due to climate change. Every year thousands of people become homeless due to these disasters and also damage the country’s economy. This affects about 1.3% of Tajikistan’s GDP (GDP).

Earthquake tremors were felt in many countries on Saturday too

Fast earthquake tremors were felt in India and its neighboring countries on Saturday afternoon. Along with the Kashmir region of India, there was an earthquake in Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tonga and Papua New Guinea. The intensity of these earthquakes was between 4.0 and 6.0 on the Richter scale. The tremors in Tajikistan and Pakistan were quite strong, while the intensity of the earthquake was also measured in Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

There was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Pakistan on Saturday afternoon. Its center was in Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad. People felt shocks in many parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). There were strong tremors in Islamabad, stuck, Chakwal and other cities of Punjab as well as in areas like Peshawar, Mardan, Mohammad and Shabakdar.

The earth is constantly trembling

In the last few days, frequent earthquake tremors are being felt in many countries of Asia. On March 28, a major earthquake in Myanmar caused heavy havoc. This earthquake was 7.7 intensity and its effect was seen in Myanmar as well as in many surrounding countries. Due to this powerful earthquake, there was a big loss of life and property. Since then, the earth has been shaken many times and continuous earthquake tremors are being felt.