Mexico began 2016 as the leading exporter of goods to the United States and also became the top buyer of U.S. products. Canada and China, the other major trading partners of the U.S., saw declines in their trade, according to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau .

According to an analysis by  T21 Business Intelligence , the value of bilateral trade between Mexico and the United States reached $74.105 billion during the first month of this year, an increase of 6.5% compared to January 2025.

In contrast, Canada and China reported significant declines during the period. Canada showed a 19.5% drop compared to 2025, totaling $52.84 billion in January 2026. China registered a 43% year-on-year contraction, with total trade of $29.387 billion in the first month of 2026.

Regarding exports to the United States, Mexico maintained its leadership, sending products to the United States worth $42,517.7 million in January 2026, 2% more than in the same month of 2025.

Conversely, Canadian exports to the United States totaled $28.33 billion, a 26.1% year-over-year decrease. China’s merchandise shipments to the United States totaled $21.05 billion in the first month of 2026, a 49.4% decline compared to January 2025.

In terms of imports, Mexico purchased US goods worth $31.5872 billion in January 2026, a 13.1% year-over-year increase. Canada’s imports totaled $24.5103 billion, a 10.3% decrease compared to the same month last year. During the same period, China imported a total of $8.3291 billion, 15.9% less than in January 2025.

In January 2026, Donald Trump completed one year of his second term as President of the United States, an administration characterized by protectionist economic policies and the imposition of tariffs on various countries around the world. Despite this, Mexico has managed to circumvent these measures and has positioned itself as a key player in trade with the United States ; meanwhile, Canada and China have experienced setbacks in their trade with the world’s largest economy.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Mexico made progress in trade with the US during January; Canada and China fell behind. apareció primero en T21.

According to data from the US Census Bureau , Mexico ended 2025 as the main supplier of goods to the United States and also ranked as the top importer of US products , while Taiwan became the third largest trading partner of the northern neighbor, displacing China to fourth place.

In December 2025, Mexico solidified its position as the United States’ top trading partner, registering a trade of goods worth $70.521 billion , once again surpassing Canada, which totaled $57.2862 billion. Taiwan’s trade with the United States totaled $29.4955 billion, just ahead of China, which registered $29.4922 billion, placing it in fourth position.

According to an analysis by T21 Business Intelligence , Mexico’s bilateral trade with the United States reached $872.834 billion in 2025 , representing a 4% increase compared to 2024, when it totaled $839.555 billion. In contrast, Canada registered $719.4786 billion last year, a 5.6% decrease; while China reported $414.6881 billion, a 28.7% drop.

In exports to the United States, Mexico totaled $534,873.5 million in the period January-December 2025 , an increase of 5.8% compared to shipments made in 2024. Canada, for its part, exported $382,960.3 million, a contraction of 7%, and China totaled $308,379.7 million during the past year, which represented a decline of 29.7 percent.

In terms of imports, Mexico purchased US goods worth $337,960.1 million in 2025 , 1.2% more than in 2024. In this category, Canada totaled $336,518.3 million, which is 3.8% less than in 2024; while China imported a total of $106,308.4 million, which meant a contraction of 25.8% compared to 2024.

Mexico, top US buyer in December

During December 2025, Mexico was the main importer of US products with $28,161.1 million , representing a growth of 14.6% compared to the same month in 2024. It was followed by Canada with $25,512 million, a decrease of 5.4%, and Taiwan with $4,799.3 million, an increase of 33% over 2024.

In exports to the United States in the last month of last year, Mexico reaffirmed its leadership with $42.36 billion , an 8 percent increase. Meanwhile, Canada exported the equivalent of $31.77 billion to the United States, 10.6% less than in 2014, while Taiwan sold goods to its northern neighbor worth $24.69 billion, a 144.7% increase compared to 2014.

Mexico ended 2025 consolidating its position as the most important trading partner of the United States, despite the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump and the political tensions regarding trade and security .

In contrast, Canada and China felt the effects of the trade war driven by the United States more strongly, which was reflected in drops in their volumes of goods exchanged with their northern neighbor, weakening their position vis-à-vis Mexico.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Mexico confirms its leadership in trade with the US by the end of 2025 apareció primero en T21.

With just days to go before US President Donald Trump announces whether he will impose new tariffs on imports from Mexico , the trade relationship between the two countries appears to be in a crisis stage, like a marriage facing its most difficult test.

With migration tensions on the rise and a constant flow of goods between the two nations , the logistics and transport sector is closely following the possible changes that could define the future of this relationship.

In the style of a marriage, with ups and downs, trade between Mexico and the United States has managed to remain strong, reflected in the increase in the number of trucks that entered U.S. territory in 2024, according to data from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) .

In total, trucks entering the United States from Mexico totaled 5.94 million in 2024, reflecting a global increase of 2.8% compared to 2023.

In its latest report, the DOT reveals that the port of Laredo, Texas , handled more than three million trucks from Mexico, an increase of 3.1% compared to the previous year (2023). This makes it the main entry point for goods in the United States, representing 50.9% of the total crossings.

Other ports also reported year-on-year growth.

In terms of trade, Mexico remains the United States’ main partner , with total trade of 839.9 billion dollars, representing 15.8% of the total trade of the neighboring country to the north. In second place is Canada with 14.3%, followed by China with 10.9%, consolidating its downward trend.

Mexico established itself as the United States’ main trading partner in 2019 , displacing China. But in 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 crisis and changes in the global economy allowed Canada to regain its leadership, according to the United States Department of Transportation’s historical data (from 2016 to 2024) .

In 2023 , with a total trade of 797 thousand 958 million dollars, Mexico once again surpassed Canada and China. This change responds to the growth of nearshoring , among other aspects such as the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) that has strengthened economic ties between both countries.

Although cross-border trade with Mexico showed growth in cargo flow, the Freight Services Index (TSI) figures reflect a cooling in demand for transportation within the United States.

According to the DOT, TSI fell 1.0% in December 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. This reduction was due to a drop in road and water transportation, while the rail and intermodal segments showed increases.

Divorce in sight?

Statements from both sides of the relationship attempt to calm the storm, especially on the part of the Mexican president, who has expressed her constant desire to maintain dialogue. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the issue of trade relations with the United States at the morning conference on February 19, 2025, and expressed her confidence that trade relations with the United States will remain stable.

“I tend to think that there will be a good relationship between President Trump and the President of Mexico. We are neighboring countries, we are not going anywhere, we are commercial partners and we have to do our best to have a good relationship ,” Sheinbaum said.

The performance of cross-border trade and the movement of goods remains a key indicator of the economic dynamics of Mexico and its northern neighbor. As in any marriage in crisis, tension over possible tariffs and restrictions remains latent, while actors in the transport sector watch cautiously, awaiting a resolution that will define whether this relationship remains strong or enters a new period of economic turbulence.

Comment and follow us on X:@karinaquintero / @GrupoT21

El cargo Border crossings are on the rise, but is a trade divorce between Mexico and the US looming? apareció primero en T21.