US-Mexico trade hits new high of $872B in 2025

Mexico remains the No. 1 U.S. trading partner for the third straight year

The new record follows another historic year in 2024, when U.S.–Mexico trade first crossed the $800 billion mark. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Mexico remained the United States’ largest trading partner for the third consecutive year in 2025, with two-way commerce reaching a record $872.83 billion.

Trade between the two countries increased 3.9% year over year, rising from $840 billion in 2024 to $872.83 billion in 2025, according to a WorldCity analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.

It marks the highest annual trade total the U.S. has ever recorded with any nation for the second consecutive year.

Canada ranked second among U.S. trading partners in 2025, with two-way trade totaling $712.76 billion, a 6.36% decline from $761.2 billion during the same period in 2024.

China placed third, with trade with the U.S. dropping 28.81% year over year to $414.69 billion, compared with $582.49 billion in 2024.

The surge in U.S.-Mexico commerce continues to concentrate freight flows along the southern border, particularly through port of entry in Laredo, Texas, the busiest inland port in the U.S.

The new record follows another historic year in 2024, when U.S.–Mexico trade first crossed the $800 billion mark.

Port Laredo remains the epicenter of cross-border trade

Much of the commerce between the U.S. and Mexico continues to move through Port Laredo, Texas, the largest inland port in the U.S. and the top gateway for trade between the two countries.

Two-way trade at Port Laredo totaled $354 billion in 2025, compared to$339 billion in 2024.

In December, Port Laredo handled $27.03 billion in two-way trade, including $9.66 billion in exports and $17.37 billion in imports, a 5.95% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

Mexico accounted for the overwhelming majority of trade moving through the South Texas gateway. In December, shipments between Mexico and Port Laredo totaled $26.24 billion, representing more than 97% of the port’s total trade value.

Among the top commodities crossing through Laredo are:

  • Motor vehicle parts
  • Computers and computer components
  • Cell phones and electronics
  • Passenger vehicles
  • Industrial equipment and electrical components

The port’s dominant role reflects the deep integration of manufacturing supply chains across North America, particularly in the automotive, electronics and industrial sectors.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Fraud & Security

Freight Fraud Symposium

Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.

May 20, 2026
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH
Register Now
AI & Technology

Supply Chain AI Symposium

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

July 15, 2026
The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL
Register Now
Rail & Policy

Future of Rail Symposium

Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.

July 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Fraud & Security Freight Fraud Symposium May 20 • Cleveland, OH

Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH Register Now
AI & Technology Supply Chain AI Symposium Jul 15 • Chicago, IL

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL Register Now
Rail & Policy Future of Rail Symposium Jul 28 • Chattanooga, TN

Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Noi Mahoney

Noi Mahoney is a Texas-based journalist who covers cross-border trade, logistics and supply chains for FreightWaves. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English in 1998. Mahoney has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working for newspapers in Maryland and Texas. Contact nmahoney@freightwaves.com