Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Saturday rejected claims that her government’s proposal to raise import tariffs on cars to as high as 50% was a coercive measure aimed at China.

Her remarks followed Beijing’s statement Thursday that it “strongly opposes any coercion”, after Mexico announced plans to consider a sharp tariff hike on Chinese-made cars under pressure from the United States, according to AFP.

Mexico’s Economy Ministry has proposed raising tariffs from the current 15–20% range to 50%, a measure included in a draft bill submitted to parliament on Wednesday.