The freight transport sector on Mexico’s northern border faces increasing pressure to sustain its operations, in a context where costs continue to rise, volumes are not recovering, and rates remain suppressed.

In Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, this scenario takes on greater relevance: through this area approximately 42% of the country’s land trade moves , making it a key point to measure the behavior of the sector, according to Pedro Lozano, president of the Nuevo Laredo Freight Carriers Association (ATC) .

In that  city , this operational weight is also reflected in the border crossings. In 2025 alone, this point registered 2.28 million truck crossings into the United States , maintaining its position as the country’s main land port in terms of volume, according to the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) .

In this sense, the profitability of the operation has been pressured by factors such as the increase in fuel, the rise in labor costs and an exchange rate that reduces income in pesos for operations agreed in dollars, as Lozano explained in an interview with T21.

Added to this is the impact of tariffs, which reduced cargo volumes and intensified competition between companies, creating a market where rates have not been able to adjust at the same pace, he warned.

The sector’s main immediate challenge is to regain profitability . Over the past few months, carriers absorbed these increases without fully passing them on to their customers, which is now resulting in a loss of liquidity, Lozano pointed out.

Although volumes are beginning to show signs of recovery, the next step will be to renegotiate rates in an environment where customers are still pushing prices down, he anticipated.

Despite trade uncertainty , regional integration remains strong. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will continue to be the foundation of trade, given that much of Mexico’s production is linked to U.S. companies, Lozano explained.

In that context, the continuity of the treaty is seen as a factor of stability for the flow of goods.

Operation, infrastructure and reviews

At the same time, the operation faces structural challenges . Some sections of highway are beginning to become congested, while toll booths and toll systems are showing deficiencies that affect traffic efficiency, he emphasized.

Added to this are the times spent at checkpoints , where vehicles can remain for up to eight hours, which directly impacts productivity. The sector’s proposal aims to migrate towards more streamlined inspections using non-intrusive technology, Lozano explained.

Security: Pressure from the North

Although northern Mexico maintains relatively stable conditions, the rest of the country presents a different scenario.

In other regions , the theft of vehicles and operational restrictions have forced changes to routes, schedules, and even logistical costs, Lozano said.

In this environment, the pressure is not only on costs, but also on the actual ability to pass them on to the market. The combination of lower production volume and increased competition has created a dynamic in which customers keep prices down, arguing that there is always someone willing to offer a lower price.

“It’s a price war and many don’t realize the costs,” the specialist warned.

The impact is significant. Due to the exchange rate alone, companies have seen reductions of nearly 20% in their revenue in pesos , while the increase in the integrated daily wage has raised social costs, Lozano explained.

Added to this is the impact of fuel . According to industry calculations, for every peso increase in diesel, fares should have been adjusted by around 4%; however, most carriers only managed to achieve partial increases.

“We should have raised our prices by 20%; I assure you that 80% of the transporters did not raise them by that amount,” he said.

The result is direct pressure on liquidity. The trucking industry requires immediate payments, while revenues don’t always keep pace.

“We can’t do free freight, our equipment is valuable and our operation is valuable,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the sector is beginning to see signs of recovery in demand. Customs indicators show gradual increases in cargo volumes, which could open the door to a new phase of tariff negotiations, he explained.

However, this process will not be easy. Renegotiating with clients is anticipated to be one of the biggest points of contention in the short term, in an environment where carriers will be looking to recover some of their lost profit margin.

On the country’s northern border, where the movement of goods never stops, the adjustment will not be immediate or uniform. The recovery in volume is only just beginning to emerge, but this doesn’t necessarily translate into better conditions for carriers.

The challenge now is not just to move more cargo, but to make each trip profitable again in a market that has become accustomed to operating with pressured rates.

“Now we have to renegotiate rates,” Lozano summarized.

Because at the country’s main crossroads, where the pulse of foreign trade is measured, the balance of road transport depends not only on the flow of goods, but also on the sector’s ability to sustain its operation in an increasingly demanding environment.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Karina Quintero  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Trucking industry seeks to regain profitability on Mexico’s northern border: ATC apareció primero en T21.

Tariff uncertainty, high logistics costs, and tax pressures are among the factors currently impacting international trade in Latin America; however, efforts are also underway to integrate the region into global value chains , according to industry specialists.

Paolo Giordano, principal economist of the Productivity, Trade and Innovation Sector of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) , recalled that despite the United States’ tariff policy during 2025, Latin American trade proved to be resilient, registering an annual growth of 6.4%, one of the highest.

“Last year, with the tariff increases, there was great concern about a slowdown or a standstill in trade, but it didn’t happen because there was an anticipation effect of the tariffs, and they also manifested themselves at a lower level than expected, so trade has been growing. It is beginning to rise structurally, although there is a lot of uncertainty,” he emphasized.

During the webinar Strategic Overview of International Trade in Latin America , organized by UPS , he reiterated that greater uncertainty is expected, “since we do not know when the next blow will come; there will be greater selectivity and trade diversion effects.”

He noted that while the commercial performance in Latin America was encouraging in 2025, now “it is a highly unstable outlook . “

César Vence, executive director of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA) , explained that the challenges for trade are uncertainty due to tariff measures, high logistics costs, and persistent tax pressures that affect the region’s industries.

However, he highlighted that one of the opportunities to minimize the impacts is nearshoring (relocation of production lines), digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.

“There are many opportunities, and we are competitive in the region. We are prepared to compete globally in a different economy. Latin America is positioned between two oceans, making us a natural bridge between Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, with strategic proximity to the United States and shorter delivery times. In the context of nearshoring , this gives us an advantage and a decisive factor in competitiveness,” he explained.

The area, in addition to having a market of more than 650 million consumers, also has a network of strategic ports, inland terminals, dry ports and new projects.

“Latin America is investing in its logistics capacity because it sees opportunities to integrate more efficiently into global value chains. It has a more dynamic and increasingly skilled workforce in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, digital, and technology, and a wealth of natural resources,” Vence pointed out.

He reiterated that regional integration will be the way to face the current situation, and that nearshoring will continue to be important, so he called for working on public-private collaborations and understanding the dynamics of foreign trade.

María Luisa Boyce, UPS Vice President of Global Public Affairs, agreed that, despite the uncertainty, trade continues ; only the movement of goods has changed in terms of information and processes.

He also explained that tariffs have been modified, with the reciprocal tariff currently at 10% in most countries. “This presents an opportunity for exporting . “

He emphasized that companies must understand logistical efficiencies, routes, and regulations. “We need to identify opportunities to export to other regions and within the region. Trade hasn’t ended; rather, it’s essential to know, from beginning to end, how the product is being handled and what information is being provided to the authorities.”

In that regard, he considered that the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) represents a competitive advantage for having a more secure logistics chain.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo This is how international trade looks for Latin America in 2026 apareció primero en T21.

In February 2026, Mexican exports continued at the good pace with which they started the year, according to the  Mexican Merchandise Trade Balance (BCMM) , prepared by the  National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

In the second month of the year, the value of Mexico’s exports was 56 billion 851 million dollars (mdd), an annual increase of 15.8% , derived mainly from non-oil exports.

However, the  trade balance  showed a deficit of $463 million , compared to the $6.481 billion deficit reported last January.

Exports take off

The increase in Mexican exports stemmed from a 17.5% rise in non-oil exports and a 24.2% decrease in oil exports. Within non-oil exports, those destined for the United States grew 15.9% year-on-year, while those destined for the rest of the world increased 26.4% annually.

In February 2026,  the value of exports of manufactured products was $51,775 million , representing an increase of 17.1% year-on-year.

The most significant advances were observed in exports of machinery and special equipment for various industries with 82.8%, mining and metallurgy products with 50.1%, electrical and electronic equipment and apparatus with 10.1%, plastic and rubber products with 4.4%, and professional and scientific equipment with 3.1% annually.

Meanwhile,  exports of automotive products showed an annual drop of 3.4% , which resulted from an 8.7% decrease in sales channeled to the United States and a 40.2% increase in those directed to other markets.

In the second month of the year,  the value of agricultural and fishing exports was US$1.779 billion , representing a year-on-year decrease of 12.8 percent. The most significant year-on-year declines were recorded in exports of cattle (99.9%), fresh strawberries (41.7%), tomatoes (38.6%), avocados (31.7%), and peppers (17.8%).

In the first two months of 2026, the structure of the value of merchandise exports was manufactured goods 90.8%, agricultural goods 3.5%, non-oil extractive products 3.2%, and oil products 2.5 percent.

Imports rise

In February 2026,  the value of merchandise imports was  $ 57,314 million , representing an annual growth of 20.8 percent.

In the month under comparison, imports of  consumer goods totaled $7.052 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.2 percent. Meanwhile, imports of intermediate goods reached $46.242 billion, 27.2% more than reported in February 2025.

Imports  of capital goods  reached four billion 020 million dollars , which implied an annual decline of 8.1 percent.

In the period January-February 2026, the accumulated value of total imports was 111 billion 803 million dollars, 15.2% more than that observed in the same period of 2025.

During the cycle, the  value structure of imports  was intermediate goods 79.9%, consumer goods 12.6%, and capital goods 7.5 percent.

The figures released this Friday by Inegi show a good performance of Mexican exports in February 2026, however, the trade balance continues with a deficit trend , since last January it also registered a deficit of six billion 481 million dollars, after the surplus of two billion 430 million dollars shown in December 2025.

This increase in shipments of Mexican goods abroad occurs in the context of a setback to the tariffs of Donald Trump, president of the United States, by the Supreme Court of the United States, which on February 20 declared unconstitutional the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Despite the increase in Mexican exports in February, the trade balance shows a deficit. apareció primero en T21.

“In Mexico, it’s very common to have tariff recovery processes, I would say even more so than in the United States. Some say: whatever is lost is already a gain. Excuse the expression, but there are companies that were depleted of capital by these tariffs , so the opportunity to recover them is a source of work,” he emphasized.

To manage the returns, Gómez Marín explained that the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement an automated web portal for importers and customs brokers.

He estimated that the amount in dispute totals 166 billion dollars (USD) , corresponding to payments actually made during the period of validity of the IEEPA tariffs, that is, from February 1, 2025 to February 20, 2026.

He noted that the validation process will be rigorous, so he believes that companies requesting a refund must accurately demonstrate the origin of their goods and the integrity of their manufacturing records.

“Their files must be thoroughly reviewed, they must be very sure of the origin of the raw materials, and I would even say packaging, packing, labor, energy and all associated costs, so that they are very sure that they will be able to recover the tariff,” he warned.

He indicated that the success of the claims will depend on whether the tariffs have been paid and whether they are under suspension or temporary regimes .

“CBP estimates approximately 300,000 simultaneous applications because that’s a lot. We have to consider that it’s roughly a year of operation, and we also have to remember that the United States is one of Mexico’s main trading partners,” he added.

In this process of tariff refunds, Gómez Marín recommended that companies seek external technical and legal advice to correctly integrate the required documentation given the complexity of the procedure.

It is worth remembering that on February 20, the United States Supreme Court ruled, with six votes in favor and three against, that the tariffs imposed through IEEPA were unconstitutional, considering that Trump exceeded his powers.

According to the U.S. Constitution, the power to regulate foreign trade belongs to Congress , so the Executive branch can only exercise powers in this matter to the extent that they have been delegated to it by legislation.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @miroslavacallejas  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo IEEPA tariff refunds, a “breath of fresh air” for supply chains apareció primero en T21.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned that increased volatility and fragmentation of trade policies are weakening the conditions of stability on which developing countries depend to expand their exports, attract foreign investment and diversify their economies .

In its most recent World Trade Update , the international organization detailed that trade rules have become less predictable .

“Countries are increasingly using discriminatory trade measures such as tariffs, investment controls and technological restrictions linked to industrial policy, national security and geopolitics ,” he said.

For developing countries, such conditions can be detrimental, as many of these nations rely on a limited range of exports and have little capacity to absorb economic shocks.

According to the analysis, despite the current adverse environment, trade continues to be an essential driver for developing countries – known as South-South trade – which has expanded rapidly within the framework of the multilateral trading system,  going from $500 billion in 1995 to $6.8 trillion in 2025 .

However, participation remains uneven: the least developed countries account for only 1.1% of global exports , far from the 2% target set for 2030, despite preferential access regimes.

Given this situation, the organization stressed the urgent need to restore certainty to trade rules . A system based on clear and stable rules is key for smaller economies to integrate into global value chains and attract investment.

The World Trade Organization ‘s (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism remains a fundamental tool: since 1995, 644 disputes have been registered, which led to the creation of 378 panels – independent teams of specialists who examine trade disagreements and issue rulings.

“Restoring a fully functional dispute settlement system is essential to maintaining fairness and predictability in global trade,” the UN agency’s report stated .

He also pointed out that services, digital technologies and the green transition are increasingly important sources of economic growth, although many developing countries remain on the sidelines of these sectors.

For example,  least developed countries account for less than 1% of global services exports . Between 2014 and 2024, their services exports grew by only 3% annually, compared to 5.3% globally, revealing the barriers they face in participating in the global services economy.

“Clearer multilateral rules in areas such as digital trade, financial services and professional services would also help ensure that developing economies can participate in these emerging sectors,” UNCTAD explained.

The report concludes that strengthening the multilateral trading system is not only an institutional necessity, but an indispensable condition for inclusive and sustainable development .

Strengthening international cooperation and ensuring the full participation of developing countries in new areas of trade will be crucial to sustaining global economic growth and expanding opportunities in an increasingly uncertain environment, marked by constant tariff changes and conflicts such as the one in the Middle East.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Developing countries are the most vulnerable to trade tensions: UNCTAD apareció primero en T21.

Uncertainty surrounding US trade policies and geopolitical conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, will continue to affect air cargo this year, particularly in terms of rates; however, high-value products and e-commerce will drive growth in air freight.

Rubén Mascaraque, Corporate Airfreight Product Manager at TIBA , emphasized that the demand for high-value products—such as iPhone smartphones and sensitive goods (pharmaceuticals and perishables)—will continue to drive e-commerce, despite the contraction from China and the challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition to the growth of semiconductors , which are fundamental to artificial intelligence (AI), and developments in the automotive industry, during the webinar “Air Cargo Outlook 2026 ,” it was suggested that the impact on maritime transport will benefit air transport.

Leonel Ortiz, Vice President of Operations at Avianca Cargo , explained that air cargo has registered constant growth since 2024, while in 2025 it reached record levels.

He recalled that in January of this year, moderate growth was expected, driven by e-commerce , disruptions in maritime transport, nearshoring (relocation of production lines) and high-value perishables, where Latin America only handles 3% globally; however, the value is significant and “that makes it more attractive.”

He mentioned that, in the case of Colombia, the export of flowers, perishables and pharmaceuticals , and, in terms of imports, e-commerce, technology and consumer goods have made this country a key player in the air transport market.

“ E-commerce is changing the game. Recent growth has been close to 30%. Now there are more shipments, smaller and more frequent, which changes operations. We’ve gone from consolidation to a constant flow. E-commerce will continue to drive demand for air cargo in the coming years,” he said.

William Rojas, Director of Cargo and Platform at El Dorado Airport in Colombia, commented that as part of the supply chain and ecosystem, an integrated model is required, a public policy for the development of procedures and regulations that facilitate cargo handling.

“We know that there are risks associated with the logistics chain and this is what we would seek to anticipate, identify and map as ecosystems, although we do not disregard the good practices carried out in other airports such as the ONE Record initiative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for predictability,” he explained.

In 2025, El Dorado Airport handled 829,000 tons of cargo , a 2.4% year-on-year increase, primarily in the transport of flowers and perishable goods. It also has 24 cargo airlines operating in Bogotá.

Impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz

Rubén Mascaraque mentioned that the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has caused a loss of approximately 13% in air capacity, although in some weeks it has reached up to 18% , in addition to route changes that have increased operating costs. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted fuel supplies, cutting off 20% of the global supply.

 “ Fuel prices are rising, and this is something we will continue to see impacting fares in the coming weeks or months; congestion at other airports, we are not aware of it happening right now, but there will be a rebound effect in the coming weeks because there is a lot of demand from the Asian market to Europe, the United States and the Latin American market, which will bring more complications to an already strained supply chain,” he stated.

He noted that in 2025, global air cargo grew by 3.7% year-on-year , led by the Asia-Pacific region with an increase of 4.2%, while Latin America increased by 2.3%, with Peru and Panama driving this growth, in addition to Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, which hold 60% of the market share.

Meanwhile, the United States was one of the countries that fell, largely due to its tariff policies which, starting in April 2025, complicated e-commerce, also for the part of China that diverted cargo.

“There was sufficient capacity, but aircraft production isn’t progressing at the desired pace, resulting in a significant backlog of orders that represents almost 60% of the active fleet. This often means that airlines have had to ground aircraft for repairs, adjusting their fleets, and this has also negatively impacted capacity. It is expected that the situation will begin to normalize and that these pending aircraft will be delivered by the beginning of 2030,” Mascaraque stated.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro / @GrupoT21

El cargo They predict that e-commerce and high-value products will boost global air cargo. apareció primero en T21.

Marcelo Ebrard, head of the Ministry of Economy (SE) , announced the call for a Mexican trade mission to Canada, which seeks to strengthen the economic and business relationship with that country, and which will take place on May 7, 8 and 9 of this year.

The mission aims to open new opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration between both economies and countries, which are part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , whose review will take place next July and, starting on March 16, Mexican and American authorities will begin the first round of bilateral meetings towards the review of this agreement.

Ebrard indicated that the delegation that will be formed will visit Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto , and that an invitation is being extended to all Mexican companies that want to participate, whether small, medium or large.

“What do you get from participating? Well, it gives you meetings with all the sectors and companies that interest you. It’s organized by sector. It gives you access to B2B meetings with other companies there. It gives you access to meetings with the sector you’re working in to learn what you can do in Canada to grow. And it gives you access to all government agencies. It’s well worth it,” the federal official emphasized.

He recalled that this initiative stems from a conversation that the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, had with the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, and the visit of a delegation of 400 Canadian companies to Mexico that took place last February.

Canada is the third largest investor in Mexico. According to the Ministry of Economy (SE), in 2025 Canada ranked third in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country, with $3.323 billion , representing 8.1% of the total FDI received by Mexico during that period, which amounted to $40.871 billion .

“For your information, I already have confirmation from many Mexican companies, including mining, automotive, and everything related to creative industries and electromobility, that they will be participating,” Ebrard pointed out.

He specified that the call for applications to form the mission will be open from March 12th and will close on April 11th.

Mexico and Canada, essential for the USMCA

In his remarks, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) , indicated that Mexico and Canada have a solid relationship based on economic cooperation , political dialogue, trust, and shared democratic values.

The Mexican Foreign Minister emphasized that both countries are key players in the North American context, along with the United States . “Closely linked value chains, reciprocal investments, innovation, and technology can translate into benefits for many more families than they are currently enjoying. We must also be part of this new commitment, which we must all strengthen in our actions. And indeed, the review of the trade agreement is coming very soon,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Cameron Mackay, Canada’s ambassador to Mexico, stated that the review of the USMCA represents “a critical opportunity” to improve the free trade partnership.

“Canada’s position is clear: our priority is to maintain a trilateral agreement so that Mexicans, Canadians and Americans can continue to benefit from this trade relationship that has existed for more than 30 years,” he emphasized.

Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez, Undersecretary of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Economy, stated that the Mexican government is very clear that Canada’s participation in the trilateral trade agreement is fundamental .

Ebrard rules out negative impacts on Mexico from Article 301

Marcelo Ebrard highlighted that 85% of Mexico’s trade within the USMCA has nothing to do with Article 301 of the United States Trade Act of 1974.

When asked about the investigation announced by the administration of US President Donald Trump to impose new tariffs on several countries, including Mexico, the Mexican official said that “we do not expect it to have a new impact that should concern us in terms of overall trade.”

It is worth recalling that the United States announced on March 11 that it would initiate new investigations into industrial overcapacity in 16 trading partners and into forced labor, in order to reinstate tariff pressure, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in February that nullified most of Trump’s generalized tariffs, considering that he violated the regulations by imposing them unilaterally based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) .

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Humberto Cruz  / @GrupoT21

El cargo Mexico is betting on Canada; preparing a business mission to Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto apareció primero en T21.

LIMA, PE.- The imposition of tariffs by the United States generated an increase in global air cargo at the beginning of 2025, as  companies brought forward their shipments and restructured supply chains to reduce the impact.

“In 2025, companies faced the threat of these tariffs as well as political changes and uncertainty in the United States. To manage these risks, many businesses brought forward their shipments. At the same time, companies were restructuring their supply chains to reduce their exposure to tariffs. Global exporters redirected shipments to other markets, such as Europe,” explained Julia Seiermann, Head of Industry Analysis at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) .

Presenting the report  “Air Cargo, Trade and Economic Growth in 2025 ” at the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2026 (WCS) in Lima, Peru, Seiermann emphasized that the above also contributed to the creation of new routes for e-commerce and “played a critical role” in supporting the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and its investments.

“The message is clear: cargo is not just a means of transport, it is an essential infrastructure for the global economy,” he stated.

Average US tariffs rose by about 17% , a level not seen since the 1930s, though these increases were not the only source of friction. Measures, including the de minimis exemption—a provision that for years facilitated e-commerce and low-value cross-border purchases—further restricted market access.

“Before that, (tariffs) had been more or less below 3% all-time. So it really was a big increase. And then, for 2026, the outlook on tariffs is still actually uncertain,” he commented.

Seiermann mentioned that, although some tariffs were reversed with the US Supreme Court ruling on February 20, visibility and future trade policy remain limited , and this uncertainty itself is part of the problem.

“This trajectory shows direct political uncertainty and, as we can see, it spiked in 2025 and remains at record levels in 2026; from a business perspective, uncertainty is often much harder to navigate than the tariffs themselves,” he emphasized.

According to the document, in the first quarter of 2025, U.S. imports increased by $193 billion year-over-year, representing a 26 percent increase. The value of imports grew 81 percent year-over-year, reaching a total of $157 billion .

The specialist indicated that the capacity of air cargo to allow the rapid geographical reallocation of high-value and time-sensitive trade, in response to political shocks, was clearly demonstrated.

“During the period from April to December 2025, air cargo benefited much more from the expansion of trade routes than from those that were affected by the contraction of those routes,” he explained.

He explained that as  investment in AI increased in 2025 , air cargo efficiently and reliably delivered high-value, time-sensitive equipment such as servers, data storage units, and chips.

IATA reported that more than two-thirds of the value of AI-related trade was transported by air during the period, and that air cargo shipments of AI-related goods grew by 20% year-on-year.

“The rapid increase in demand for AI-related goods in 2025 was met by air freight, allowing investment to translate into economic activity rather than being constrained by logistics. As economies become increasingly and strategically dependent on high-value technology goods, air freight will continue to play a critical role in ensuring their timely delivery,” Seiermann stated.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro  / Correspondent /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Tariffs generated changes in supply chains: IATA apareció primero en T21.

In January 2026, the shipment of Mexican products abroad maintained the positive trend with which it closed 2025, when in December of last year it registered an annual increase of 17.2 percent, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

According to figures from the Mexican Merchandise Trade Balance (BCMM), in the first month of 2026, Mexican exports totaled 48 billion 008 million dollars (mdd) , which meant an increase of 8.1% compared to the same month of 2025.

Meanwhile, the trade balance showed a deficit of $6.481 billion , which compares to a surplus of $2.430 billion in December 2025.

Export performance

The increase in Mexican exports stemmed from a 9.8% rise in non-oil exports and a 33.5% decrease in oil exports. Within non-oil exports, those destined for the United States increased by 7.9% year-on-year, while those destined for the rest of the world rose by 19.6% annually.

In the first month of 2026, the value of exports of manufactured products was 43,508 million dollars , representing an advance of 9.4% year-on-year.

The most significant advances were observed in exports of machinery and special equipment for various industries with 65.8%, mining and metallurgy products with 29.9%, metal products for domestic use with 7.3%, and electrical and electronic equipment and appliances with 2.5 percent.

Meanwhile, exports of automotive products showed an annual drop of 9% , which resulted from a decrease of 16.7% in sales channeled to the United States and an increase of 35.9% in those directed to other markets.

In January 2026, the value of agricultural and fisheries exports was US$1.858 billion , representing an 11.6 percent year-on-year decrease. The most significant year-on-year declines were recorded in tomato (34.1%), cucumber (22.9%), and avocado (22.4%) exports.

In the reference month, the structure of the value of merchandise exports was manufactured goods 90.6%, agricultural goods 3.9%, non-oil extractive products 3.2%, and oil products 2.3 percent.

According to the results of Inegi, in January 2026 the northern neighbor concentrated 82.31% of the total exports that Mexico made to the foreign market , with a percentage variation of 7.9% compared to December 2025, and of 8.8% compared to January of last year.

Import behavior

In January 2026, the value of merchandise imports was $54,489 million , representing an annual growth of 9.8 percent.

In the month under comparison, imports of consumer goods  totaled $6.988 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 3.8 percent. Meanwhile, imports  of intermediate goods  reached $43.123 billion, 14.2% higher than the figure reported in January 2025.

Imports of capital goods reached 4.379 billion dollars , which implied an annual decline of 4.4 percent.

During the cycle, the structure of the value of imports was intermediate goods 79.2%, consumer goods 12.8%, and capital goods 8 percent.

Mexican foreign trade figures, especially in exports, reveal the dynamism that the country has in the North American economy, although on several occasions, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has rejected the entry into the United States of Mexican products and those of other nations by imposing tariffs on them.

Understanding the trade balance is important, as it is a key indicator of a country’s economic health, reflecting the difference between exports and imports, and revealing aspects such as economic growth and competitiveness in international trade.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Mexican exports start 2026 on the right foot 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.