Mexico trade surges to $73B in February as Laredo dominates cross-border flows

Key Details Mexico solidified its position as America's top trading partner in February with $73.2 billion in two-way commerce, up 7% year-over-year. The U.S. exported $28.9 billion in goods while importing $44.3 billion, driven by manufacturing, consumer products, and energy sectors. Why It Matters Laredo, Texas handled over $29 billion of the monthly trade volume, reinforcing its critical role as the second-largest U.S. international trade gateway. This concentration creates significant capacity pressures and pricing dynamics for trucking networks across the southern border. Market Trends Imports are rising in computers, semiconductors, and automotive products, while exports emphasize industrial supplies and energy goods. Despite a $16.8 billion trade deficit in February, year-to-date bilateral commerce reached $147 billion through the first two months of 2026. Driver Impact Tightening border capacity amid regulatory changes and tariff uncertainty continues reshaping freight movement patterns. Carriers should monitor infrastructure demands and pricing pressures as manufacturers depend heavily on these cross-border supply chains for sustained operations.