According to FreightWaves, U.S.-Mexico two-way trade reached $87.23 billion in May 2026 — the highest monthly total for the year and a 17.06% increase compared with May 2025 — cementing Mexico as the United States’ largest trading partner for the month.
Record Trade Volume and Geographic Concentration
The $87.23 billion in bilateral commerce represented 16.77% of all U.S. international trade during May, which totaled $520.06 billion. Year-to-date through May, total U.S.-Mexico trade stood at $404.57 billion, ahead of Canada, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Laredo, Texas remained the nation’s busiest international trade gateway, handling $36.33 billion in imports and exports — a 19.36% increase year-over-year.
Laredo processed $12.09 billion in U.S. exports and $24.24 billion in Mexican imports, accounting for roughly 97% of its international trade volume. The port served as the primary conduit for automotive products, electronics, machinery, and industrial goods crossing the border. Other major crossings included the Ysleta-Zaragoza International Bridge in El Paso ($12.09 billion), Otay Mesa in California ($4.99 billion), Eagle Pass ($4.15 billion), and the Pharr International Bridge ($3.83 billion).
Commodity Flow and Sector Drivers
Automotive and technology shipments were key growth drivers. Top U.S. imports from Mexico in May included computers valued at $13.52 billion, passenger vehicles ($3.57 billion), commercial vehicles ($3.50 billion), and motor vehicle parts ($3.22 billion). U.S. exports to Mexico were led by gasoline and other fuels ($3.28 billion), computer parts ($2.30 billion), and computers ($2.08 billion).
Additional high-value imports included insulated wire and cable ($1.74 billion), cell phones and related equipment ($1.53 billion), medical instruments ($1.00 billion), and electrical boards, panels, and switches ($885.0 million). Exports also featured computer chips ($837.1 million), digital storage devices ($705.4 million), and natural gas/LNG ($626.3 million).
Infrastructure and Investment Activity
Beyond trade flows, new infrastructure investments underscored deepening supply chain integration. Germany’s Döhler Group opened a new production facility in the State of Mexico after investing more than $64 million. The plant expands the company’s North American manufacturing footprint and boosts capacity for natural food and beverage ingredients destined for export to the U.S., Germany, Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia.
In San Diego’s Otay Mesa submarket, Avison Young completed the sale of a 31,488-square-foot industrial property at 7577 Airway Road for $8.824 million. Located just 2.5 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border crossing, the asset serves cross-border trade, manufacturing, and distribution firms.
“Properties that offer functional loading capabilities and immediate access to cross-border trade routes are highly sought after by both owner-users and investors.” — Tanner Johnson, Associate, Avison Young
Rankings and Regional Context
In May, Canada ranked second among U.S. trading partners with $66.1 billion in two-way trade, followed by China at $32.6 billion. Chicago O’Hare International Airport was the second-ranked U.S. international gateway for trade at $32 billion, while Port Houston ranked third at $24 billion. These figures highlight the continued dominance of North American supply chains amid broader global trade dynamics.
The data, drawn from U.S. Census Bureau statistics and analyzed by WorldCity, reflects sustained nearshoring momentum and growing reliance on integrated manufacturing ecosystems across the U.S.-Mexico border. With Laredo alone accounting for nearly half of all U.S.-Mexico trade value in May, regional infrastructure resilience and customs efficiency remain critical operational priorities for shippers and logistics providers.
Source: FreightWaves
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
