Mexico and Port Laredo Remain Top U.S. Trade Partners in August

Port Laredo, Texas (Photo: U.S.Customs and Border Protection)

Mexico remained the U.S.’s largest overall trading partner in August, as cross-border commerce continued to outpace trade flows with Canada and China, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Total U.S.-Mexico two-way trade reached $74.4 billion in August, once again surpassing Canada ($56.6 billion) and China ($33.4 billion).

Specifically, Mexican exports to the U.S. totaled $45.15 billion, up 3.3% from August 2024. This growth was primarily driven by continued strength in shipments within the automotive, electronics, and machinery sectors.

In the other direction, U.S. exports to Mexico totaled $29.25 billion for the month. Although this figure represents a slight 2.6% decrease from a year earlier, Mexico still outpaced Canada ($27.19 billion) and China ($8.27 billion) to remain the top destination for U.S. goods.

The August performance reflects a broader year-to-date trend: from January through August, Mexico imported $226.4 billion in U.S. goods, narrowly surpassing Canada for the first time on record.

Laredo: The No. 1 U.S. Trade Gateway

In parallel with the booming U.S.-Mexico trade, the border gateway of Laredo, Texas, retained the No. 1 spot among the nation’s 450 international trade gateways.

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity, during August, Laredo recorded a 7% year-over-year increase in total trade value, reaching $30.3 billion.

For comparison, the Port of Los Angeles ranked as the second-busiest international trade gateway in August at $29.5 billion, followed by Chicago O’Hare International Airport at $29 billion.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Freight Waves)

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