Mexican Beverage Industry Warns Tax Hike Will Hit Jobs and Families Hard

In a move that raises serious concerns about economic sovereignty and the welfare of hardworking families, Mexico’s government has proposed nearly doubling the special tax on flavored soft drinks. The Mexican Beverage Association (MexBeb) denounced this measure, included in the 2026 economic package, as both regressive and detrimental to consumers—and their warnings deserve America’s attention as an example of misguided taxation harming everyday citizens. The proposal increases the Impuesto Especial sobre Producción y Servicios (IEPS) from approximately 1.65 to over 3 pesos per liter—an 87% jump—and adds new levies on artificially sweetened drinks. MexBeb estimates this will push retail prices...