Mexico will introduce stricter trade tariff measures for imported alcohols to encourage other countries to reduce tariffs on Mexican tequila, Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced during National Tequila Day celebrations on Friday.  

National Tequila Day, celebrated annually on July 24, recognizes the world-famous spirit for its economic and cultural value. Tequila production is a source of employment for thousands of families dedicated to agave cultivation and distillation. 

Reconocimiento a la industria del Tequila y plan de acción conjunto para aumentar exportaciones a todo el mundo. pic.twitter.com/R06kE34c6N

— Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) July 28, 2026

In a presentation, Ebrard emphasized the need to review and dismantle all trade restrictions facing tequila exports to achieve more balanced treatment for Mexican products. “If another country applies 150 tariffs on me, I will say, ‘Hey, I’m going to impose restrictions on your products too,’” explained Ebrard. “It’s going to have to be more balanced.” 

The economy minister said that while Mexico is one of the most open countries to international trade, some markets continue to impose tariffs of up to 150% or regulatory restrictions on tequila imports. Meanwhile, Mexico imposes few restrictions on the import of similar products from other countries. 

In 2024, tequila exports achieved a value of almost US $4.2 billion, solidifying the product’s position as Mexico’s second most important agro-industrial export, behind beer, according to Agriculture Ministry (Sader) data. Mexican tequila is exported to over 120 countries, with annual exports exceeding 400 million liters.  

It was the only spirit to register growth during the past year, with an increase of 1.2%. Global tequila volumes increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% between 2019 and 2025, and are expected to expand at a CAGR of 2% to 2030, according to the global beverage data company IWSR. 

Tequila was granted Denomination of Origin (DO) status in 1974, for its historical connection to specific Mexican regions and traditional production practices, making it the first Mexican product to gain this certification. 

The Director General of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), Vidal Llerenas Morales, said that the status guarantees that only tequila produced in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán and Tamaulipas can legally use this designation, which helps preserve the alcohol’s traditional characteristics and quality. 

Other Mexican alcohols have since been granted DO certification, including mezcal, bacanora, sotol, charanda and raicilla. 

With reports from El Financiero and El Informador