US-Mexico trade smashes monthly record at nearly $95B

U. S. -Mexico trade reached a record $94. 8 billion in July, the highest monthly total on record, according to U. S. Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity. Two-way trade between the U. S. and Mexico increased 27. 5% from $74. 36 billion in the same month last year. Mexico accounted for nearly 18% of the United States’ $530.

37 billion in total international trade during the month. U. S. exports to Mexico totaled $34. 24 billion, up 18. 1% year over year, while imports from Mexico jumped 33. 5% to $60. 55 billion. Canada ranked as the United States’ No. 2 trading partner in July at about $62. 8 billion, followed by China at No. 3 with $36. 8 billion in two-way commerce.

Mexico’s position atop the rankings comes as overall U. S. trade continues to expand. The United States recorded $530. 37 billion in international commerce during July, including $197. 45 billion in exports and $332. 92 billion in imports. Through the first seven months of 2026, U. S. trade with the world reached $3. 51 trillion, up 6.

2% from the same period last year. Mexico, Canada and China also held the top three positions among U. S. trading partners year to date, followed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Mexico-U. S. commerce totaled $588. 52 billion through July, up 16. 1% year over year. U. S. exports to Mexico increased 16. 6% to $229. 82 billion, while imports from Mexico rose 15.

8% to $358. 71 billion. The figures underscore Mexico’s growing importance to U. S. supply chains at a time when trade relationships with other major partners are being reshaped by tariffs and shifting sourcing patterns. Laredo remains No.

1 US trade gateway Laredo, Texas, retained its position as the nation’s busiest international trade gateway in July, handling $36. 95 billion in two-way commerce. Trade through Laredo increased nearly 22% from $30. 29 billion a year earlier. Exports through the South Texas gateway rose 16. 5% to $12. 46 billion, while imports climbed 25% to $24. 48 billion.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport was the No. 2 ranked U. S. gateway for trade in July at $36 billion, while the Port of Los Angeles was No. 3 at $26. 5 billion. Mexico accounted for the overwhelming majority of Laredo’s business. U. S. -Mexico trade moving through the gateway totaled $35. 9 billion in July, up 21. 9% year over year.

Laredo’s July performance also represented its strongest July on record in WorldCity data going back to 2013. Automotive freight remained a major component of the gateway’s outbound traffic. Motor vehicle parts were Laredo’s No. 1 export commodity in July at $1. 31 billion, up 19. 2% year over year. Diesel engine exports jumped nearly 85% to $433.

8 million, while motor vehicle engine exports increased 21% to $284. 7 million. Laredo is experiencing tight capacity, according to SONAR, a freight market analytics and data platform. As of Wednesday, the Laredo Van Outbound Tender Rejection Index is at 11. 18%, indicating that securing trucking capacity in the market can be a challenge for shippers.

The SONAR VAN Tender Rejection Index for Laredo (STRIV. LRD) is currently at 11. 18%, indicating carriers hold negotiating leverage due to limited capacity. To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR, click here. Why it matters: Nearly $95 billion in monthly commerce highlights the growing weight of Mexico in U. S.

manufacturing and supply chains, while Laredo’s record July reinforces its role as the primary gateway for cross-border freight. The post US-Mexico trade smashes monthly record at nearly $95B appeared first on FreightWaves.