Mexico Is Cracking Down on ‘Made in China’ Quinceañera Dresses

Lea la nota en español

More and more of Mexico’s coming-of-age quinceañera dresses are coming from China.

They’re part of a flood of Chinese textiles that has undermined local companies and sparked job losses in Mexico’s nearly $5 billion apparel market. To stem the surge of imports and protect local employment, the country is levying new tariffs and cracking down on illicit merchandise.

Experts question whether the measures will be enough to protect an industry that has steadily lost ground to Chinese producers as they aggressively expand into new markets. While the pain is being felt across the industry, it’s especially apparent among the businesses that cater to quinceañera parties — the celebrations that Mexican families hold for ...