Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Mexico’s exports to the US increased 6.3% in the first half of 2025

Mexico’s exports to the United States during the first half of 2025 reached US $264.38 billion, a 6.3% increase over the same period last year, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

However, Mexico’s share of the U.S. market fell from 15.9% in the first six months of 2024 to 15% from January through June 2025 as U.S. imports rose at the global level. 

President SHeinbaum with microphone
President Sheinbaum has been praised for responding calmly but firmly to U.S. President Trump’s tariff threats aimed at Mexico. The result after half a year is that despite those threats, Mexican exports to the U.S. have increased. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Mexican exports to the U.S. climbed despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to introduce new 30% tariffs on non-free-trade agreement (USMCA) goods — a plan that has been put on hold for 90 days following a month of negotiations with Mexican President Sheinbaum’s cabinet.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s imports of U.S. products rose by a significantly lower rate of 1.1% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, totaling $168.17 billion.

The differential in Mexican exports and imports caused Mexico’s trade surplus with the United States to increase by 16.7% to $96.21 billion, edging closer to that of China, which fell 12.4% year-over-year, to $111.48 billion. That surplus has been one of Trump’s pretexts for his aggressive trade stance toward Mexico.

One of the takeaways from the recent trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico was President Sheinbaum’s appearance of abidance to Trump as regards the trade surplus, even to the point of Mexico encouraging its nation’s companies to “buy American.”

In recent months, Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper imports and 25% on automobiles and certain auto parts from Mexico. He also introduced 25% tariffs on non-USMCA products, which could increase to 30% unless Sheinbaum can convince the U.S. president not to raise the tariffs by the October deadline.

After another round of successful negotiations, what is Mexico doing to achieve permanent tariff relief?

Overall, U.S. export and import levels both increased in the first half of the year, despite the imposition of tariffs on several countries, which encouraged many states to introduce reciprocal tariffs. U.S. global foreign purchases climbed by 12.7% to almost $1.8 trillion. Conversely, exports increased by 5% to reach $1.08 trillion.

Even with its reduced market share, Mexico remained the U.S.’s largest trading partner in the first half of 2025, followed by Canada (13%) and China (7.9%).

With reports from El Economista

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Pemex

Inside Pemex’s plan to reach fiscal solvency by 2027

0
"What we have is a comprehensive vision," said the president, who asserted that by 2027, Pemex won't require any financial support from the federal Finance Ministry.
Earth moving machne at mine site

Southern Copper in talks with government to unlock US $10B+ in stalled mining investment

1
The Grupo México subsidiary's projects for Zacatecas, Michoacán, Baja California and Sonora are on hold pending environmental and operational approval.
Trump, Sheinbaum

After another round of successful negotiations, what is Mexico doing to achieve permanent tariff relief?

6
According to the deputy minister of industry and commerce, Mexico is working to identify more U.S. product source markets for companies established in Mexico and encourage firms to “buy American."
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity