The meat trade between Mexico and the United States demands a logistics system capable of maintaining timeliness, food safety, and the cold chain. Although trucking dominates border crossings, rail is beginning to gain ground as an alternative for building intermodal, two-way routes .

In 2025, Mexico imported more than 1.24 million tons of pork and 209,000 tons of beef from the United States , with a combined value exceeding $4.1 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) . Mexico also exported meat to 27 countries and shipped 304,000 tons to the U.S. market, representing 65.6% of its total exports, according to the 2025 Statistical Compendium of the Mexican Meat Council (Comecarne) .

This influx opened up opportunities for refrigerated rail services. In August 2025, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) of Mexico announced the addition of SuKarne to its refrigerated container solution, operated with Americold to the United States.

“We have Senasica personnel in an office alongside USDA staff to handle meat imports and expedite inspections from Kansas City. What we’re trying to do is streamline the process. Senasica welcomed this as a way to alleviate congestion and provide support at the border. In Salinas Victoria, we have an inspection point, and obviously in Laredo, where many shipments converge. Finally, at the Toluca ramp, we just received permission to receive grains, cotton, and dog food,” explained Linda Hernández, Business and Industrial Development Manager for the company, at the 2026 National Freight Transportation Forum of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) .

CPKC has 1,000 temperature-controlled containers and four inspection points at the point of origin authorized by the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) . This aims to prevent disruptions and delays.

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El cargo On steel rails: the new meat route apareció primero en T21.

The  Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported a 9.8% increase in freight movement between Mexico and the United States during the first 27 weeks of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

According to the agency, the accumulated volume on Mexican railways during that period was 700,187 railcars and containers, as well as intermodal trailers .

In that sense, intermodal had a growth of 15.5%, grains registered an increase of 12.2%, while vehicles and parts increased 9.5% year-on-year.

Conversely, the AAR detailed that four segments experienced declines: coal; forest products; oil and its derivatives; and other products with 98.9%, 14.8%, 11.8% and 14.9%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

He detailed that Mexican railway companies reported 14,182 loaded railcars in the week ending July 11, an increase of 24.6% compared to the same period in 2025, and 14,082 intermodal units , which meant an annual increase of 55.4 percent.

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El cargo Full steam ahead! Rail freight between Mexico and the US is growing: AAR apareció primero en T21.

The Danish firm DSV is redefining the global logistics landscape and positioning Mexico as one of its strategic markets . As the company accelerates its expansion plans and seeks to strengthen air connectivity with the United States, it faces a challenge it considers crucial: the security of cargo transport and capacity directly to and from Mexico.

The growth of Mexico’s airport infrastructure, especially at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , has opened new opportunities for the industry. However, the risks of cargo theft during ground transportation continue to be a concern, notes Mikkel Hendriksen, Air Manager at DSV.

“We can’t eliminate the risk, but we can reduce it in several processes. The market in Mexico is developing at AIFA. We have to improve security in various parts of the logistics chain, not only to protect the cargo, but also the people involved,” he stated in an interview with T21.

Therefore, the company has implemented security protocols for the past two years to reduce the risk of theft in the vicinity of AIFA and on other routes. However, it believes there are still areas for improvement in strengthening the protection of its logistics chains.

“The airport has the infrastructure, capacity, and space to grow. We’ve brought clients here to see the facilities, and they’ve been pleasantly surprised. What doesn’t work is when we take certain goods out on the highway,” he points out.

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El cargo Mexico, a key market for growth: DSV apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican government hopes that the restrictions imposed by the United States on the country’s airlines, for an alleged breach of the bilateral air transport agreement, will end before the next winter season.

“We responded to their requests to comply with the executive orders, and we are waiting. In reality, we have practically addressed what was within our purview regarding the requests they made, and we are waiting for them to evaluate it,” stated Jesús Esteva, head of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT).

Following his appearance in the Chamber of Deputies, he explained that they are only waiting for a response from the   United States Department of Transportation (DOT) , since Mexico has already addressed the requests made by that authority, including regulatory and normative adjustments.

“It has progressed and we are waiting. I hope it will be before (winter). The agreement with them was to respond, and a memorandum of understanding was signed, which we made public, and we are waiting,” he specified.

The official said that so far they do not have a figure for economic losses due to these restrictions; “in reality, the sanctions were a restriction of having to notify about the flights and not opening more.”

In October 2025, the SICT reported that the DOF imposed the cancellation of 11 scheduled routes  from the  Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA)  and the  Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM)  to the United States.

In addition, the executive order  temporarily prohibits applications for new routes or increased frequencies from AIFA and AICM  to US territory, a measure that will remain in effect until further notice.

A second order issued by the DOT contemplates the prohibition of permits for the transport of combined cargo on passenger flights between the AICM and the United States.

Last May, the SICT reported that equitable conditions were agreed upon for the use of the AICM and AIFA infrastructure  for air cargo , with the aim of strengthening logistical connectivity between both countries; however, flight restrictions to US territory will continue.

At that time, Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, said that a consensus had been reached on a path forward for Mexico to comply with the 2015 Air Transport Agreement.

“This is a step in the right direction, but we need to see these promises translated into action. Until then, our restriction on Mexican airlines will remain in place,” he said.

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El cargo Mexico expects the US to end restrictions on airlines before the end of 2026 apareció primero en T21.

At least 20,000 Mexican truck drivers lost their work visas in the United States between April 2025 and April 2026 for failing to meet English language requirements, reported Augusto Ramos Melo, president of the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) .

During the presentation of the results of his first 100 days in office, he explained that the figure was shared by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and is part of the actions derived from an executive order issued by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in April 2025.

“They were from April 2025 to April 2026. These operators returned to Mexico after their work visas were revoked,” he said.

Ramos clarified that the impact is not limited to Mexican operators . According to information shared by the ATA, the president of Canacar commented that approximately 30,000 foreign operators have been removed from operations in the United States, of which 20,000 are Mexican.

Although the leader acknowledged that there is still no precise assessment of the economic impact of this measure , he explained that the reduction in the availability of operators is already beginning to generate pressures in the US market.

“The only thing that happened here was the supply-demand effect, where obviously the cost of freight in the United States has been starting to have an upward effect,” he said.

However, he emphasized that North America’s economic performance has so far prevented a greater impact. Nevertheless, he warned that if economic activity picks up, the shortage of operators could be more clearly reflected in logistics costs.

“It is very likely that this impact will be seen gradually,” he stated.

The measure comes in a context where the trucking industry is facing a growing shortage of drivers both in Mexico and in other regions of the world.

Canacar estimates that there is currently a shortage of approximately 96,000 truck drivers in Mexico , a figure that could increase in the coming years due to the aging workforce. According to Ramos, around 30% of active truck drivers are over 55 years old, while only 13% are under 25.

Globally, the problem has also become a concern for the logistics industry . During Canacar’s participation in the International Road Transport Union (IRU) , the organization predicted a global shortage of more than 2.8 million operators by 2030.

Given this scenario, Canacar launched an English language training program aimed at operators, transporters and their families.

The tool is available online and can be used on mobile devices. According to Ramos, the goal is to strengthen the language skills of operators involved in cross-border operations and reduce the risk of further disruptions stemming from regulatory requirements in the United States.

The agency also reported that it maintains a close relationship with the ATA to monitor the evolution of this issue and obtain more accurate information on the impact that the departure of operators has had on the US market.

For now, Canacar acknowledged that one of the main challenges will be identifying how many of the operators who returned to the country have rejoined Mexican companies and how many remain outside the transport industry .

“It has been difficult to track them all down to find out if they are already working in Mexico or in some other profession,” Ramos emphasized.

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El cargo The EU revokes visas for 20,000 Mexican operators for failing to demonstrate English language proficiency apareció primero en T21.

The review of the United States – Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) could extend for at least two more years and result in annual evaluations until 2028 before reaching a final agreement, estimated Paulina Anciola, deputy director of Economic Studies at Banamex .

During a discussion organized by Mundi , the specialist explained that the agreement includes a review in July 2026, at which time the three countries will have to decide whether to extend its validity for another 16 years. However, there is also the possibility of maintaining annual reviews while negotiations continue.

“There are about three possible scenarios regarding this review. The first would be that on July 1st, all three parties say, ‘we agree,’ and the treaty is extended for another 16 years. That’s what we think is unlikely to happen,” he noted.

Anciola explained that the second scenario would be that one of the countries decides to abandon the agreement , while the third contemplates successive annual reviews in case the parties do not reach a consensus on the future of the treaty.

“What we see right now as the most likely scenario from Banamex is annual reviews, at least until 2028,” he stated.

The economist explained that this mechanism could remain in place for up to 10 years as long as the three trading partners remain within the agreement. If there is no consensus at the end of that period, the treaty would expire .

According to Banamex, the uncertainty associated with the review process will remain present in the coming years, although investors have begun to adapt to a more complex decision-making environment.

Anciola believes that an automatic renewal in 2026 looks complicated due to the pressure exerted by the United States, since the discussion of the agreement is no longer limited to trade issues.

“Everyone was already expecting that it would be very difficult to have a clean review on July 1st and that it would be automatically renewed because of all the pressure we have seen from the United States, not only on trade issues, but it is now mixed with security issues, with migration issues, with trade issues,” he commented.

The specialist added that the administration of Donald Trump, President of the United States, could use the review process as a tool for political and commercial pressure on various fronts, so the uncertainty surrounding the agreement could extend beyond 2026.

“We believe that the review of the USMCA will be a process, not an event,” he concluded.

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El cargo Banamex anticipates annual reviews of the USMCA until 2028 apareció primero en T21.

Amid the growing regulatory complexity for trucking between Mexico and the United States , TIP Mexico assured that its fleet of trailers and semi-trailers is already prepared to operate under the legal and technical frameworks of both countries, with the goal of reducing delays and rejections at border crossings.

During the Expo Proveedores del Transporte y Logística 2026 , held at Cintermex in Monterrey, the company specializing in fleet leasing and management stated that its equipment complies with both Mexican Official Standards (NOM) and US regulations, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

According to TIP Mexico, one of the main challenges for Mexican fleets operating to the United States is that compliance with NOMs does not guarantee legal circulation in US territory, so the units must also align with the requirements of the Department of Transportation (DOT) , the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“Monterrey is the epicenter of logistical dynamism to the north. We want to give absolute certainty to carriers: our units are prepared to comply simultaneously with the legal framework of both countries,” said Eugenio Noriega, Trailer Director of TIP Mexico.

The company presented a regulatory equivalence matrix to explain the requirements faced by carriers in cross-border operations. Among these, it highlighted NOM-035-SCT, related to manufacturing specifications; NOM-068-SCT-2-2014 , focused on physical and mechanical conditions; and NOM-012-SCT regarding weights and dimensions.

According to the company, the FMCSA recognizes NOM-068 as equivalent to the US periodic inspection program for maintenance and operational safety , while in the case of weights and dimensions there is no automatic recognition, so the units must comply with federal and state limits in the United States.

TIP Mexico added that its equipment incorporates approved ABS braking systems , regulatory lighting configurations and perimeter safety components aligned with US standards, in addition to aerodynamic elements to optimize fuel consumption on international routes.

The company also indicated that, through short and long-term pure leasing schemes, it seeks to help Mexican fleets increase operational capacity with equipment certified for safe interchange, particularly during high demand seasons.

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El cargo TIP Mexico promotes strategy to eliminate friction at the border crossing of cargo apareció primero en T21.

DP World announced the appointment of Terry Donohoe as CEO for its operations in Mexico , with the goal of leading the logistics business in the national market . He will oversee the network comprised of five freight forwarding offices and four warehouses located in various industrial centers, supported by 800 employees.

“I am honored to assume this role and to build upon the strong foundation already established in Mexico. The market presents significant opportunities, and I look forward to working with our teams to strengthen our capabilities, support our customers’ growth, and help build more resilient and efficient supply chains across the region,” said Donohoe.

Donohoe has over 30 years of experience in global logistics and supply chain management at various companies in the sector . Since joining the company in 2023, he has served as Senior Vice President of Freight Forwarding for the Americas , where he led regional operations and oversaw the expansion of the business across the region, including markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Chile, and the United States.

Furthermore, under Donohoe’s leadership in the region, the company expanded its presence to 40 freight forwarding offices with a team of 400 people . Prior to joining DP World, Donohoe held positions such as Vice President of Operations in Toll Group ‘s Global Transportation division and leadership roles at Agility , Schenker , GeoLogistics , and BAX Global. 

Brian Enright, CEO of DP World Americas, highlighted that Terry has extensive experience in logistics and proven leadership in complex operations in the region , so “his track record in driving operational excellence, fostering innovation and managing high-performing teams positions him ideally to lead our operations in Mexico.”

Since its arrival in Mexico in 2021, DP World has consolidated an expanding logistics platform with a presence in the country’s main industrial and commercial hubs, including industrial centers such as Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Querétaro, and Ciudad Juárez.

The company offers comprehensive supply chain solutions encompassing transportation, warehousing, and value-added services for sectors such as automotive, technology, retail , and perishables . Furthermore, its operations focus on end-to-end international services and cross-border logistics that facilitate trade between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

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El cargo DP World appoints Terry Donohoe as CEO in Mexico apareció primero en T21.

Mexico climbed six positions in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index  compiled by the consultancy Kearney , moving from 25th place last year to 19th in 2026. This advance places it as the second fastest-growing country in the ranking , only behind Singapore, and in fifth place among emerging markets.

During the presentation of the indicator, Gerardo Rocha, managing partner of Kearney Mexico, highlighted that the United States maintains its first-place ranking, followed by Canada and Japan, while China occupies fourth position . For the first time in 13 years, Asia surpasses Europe in participation, with 10 countries included in the ranking compared to nine European countries.

In the exclusive ranking of emerging markets, Mexico ranks fifth, behind China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil . Among the strengths highlighted by investors are the ease of doing business (31%) and the skilled workforce (28%).

Rocha also noted that industrial policy remains a key factor for investors when deciding where to allocate their capital . In fact, 84% of the investors surveyed considered this factor to be “very important” or “extremely important” when making their investment decisions.

“Another issue is which of these industrial policy options are most welcomed by investors, and which are not as positively received. We can see that among those that are much better rated is everything related to infrastructure development. When industrial policy includes infrastructure development, it leads to greater attraction for foreign direct investment,” he noted.

However, he indicated that challenges remain in maintaining competitiveness in key industrial sectors, especially in light manufacturing. To consolidate progress, it will be essential to promote technological innovation, improve regulatory efficiency, and strengthen the domestic economy .

He also noted that among the macroeconomic risks, geopolitical tensions persist (36%) , commodity price increases (30%), and political instability in developed markets (30%).

Rocha also noted that investors demand greater legal certainty and protection of property rights. Public-private partnerships and regional integration, such as the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), will be crucial for securing long-term investments .

Furthermore, the executive noted that the most attractive industries for investment in Mexico are telecommunications, aerospace and defense, transportation, and private goods; he also indicated that the integration of supply chains in North America and the nearshoring trend reinforce its attractiveness in an uncertain global economy.

The report produced by Kearney has been conducted since 1998 and is based on surveys of more than 500 CEOs and directors of the world’s leading companies, all with a turnover exceeding $500 million.

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El cargo Mexico among the top 20 destinations for foreign investment in 2026: Kearney apareció primero en T21.

According to figures from the  US Census Bureau , Mexico reaffirmed its position as the main trading partner of the United States in February 2026 , once again ranking as the top supplier of goods to the United States and the main importer of US products, while Canada and China showed declines.

According to an analysis by  T21 Business Intelligence ,  the exchange of goods between Mexico and its northern neighbor was $73,217.2 million during the second month of 2026 , an increase of 7.1% compared to February 2025.

In contrast, Canada fell 8.9% , totaling $57,543.6 million in February 2026; while  China dropped 36.1% compared to the same month last year , with a total traded value of $26,902.2 million.

In the accumulated January-February 2026, Mexico also led the trade exchange with the United States, with a total of 147,322.1 million dollars ; Canada reached 110,335.4 million dollars and China 56,289.2 million dollars in the first two months.

Regarding exports to the United States in the second month of 2026, Mexico maintained a solid performance, sending goods to the United States for 44,310.7 million dollars , which meant an increase of 6.4% annually.

Meanwhile, Canada exported $29,172.3 million, 16.5% less than in February 2025. China totaled $18,955.6 million in merchandise shipments to the United States last February, a figure that represented a decline of 40.1% compared to the same month in 2025.

In terms of imports, Mexico also solidified its position as the leading buyer of U.S. products, with $28.9065 billion in February 2026 , representing an 8 percent year-over-year increase. Canada saw a slight increase of 0.4%, totaling $28.3713 billion during the same period. China imported a total of $7.9466 billion, 24% less than in February 2025.

The  trade balance  in February 2026 showed a surplus for Mexico (15,404.2 million dollars) , China (11,009.1 million dollars) and Canada (801 million dollars).

Last February, the positive trend in trade between Mexico and the United States continued, as shown in January 2016, when the value of the exchange of goods was 74,105 million dollars.

The results for the second month of 2026 also reflect Mexico’s leading position in trade with the United States , despite constant pressure from its northern neighbor through protectionist measures. Meanwhile, Canada faces obstacles and China is losing ground in the North American market.

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El cargo Mexico maintains its trade advantage over the US in February apareció primero en T21.