Mexico has reclaimed its position as the United States’ most important commercial partner.
In February, Mexico surpassed China to become the United States’ biggest trading partner, relegating China to third place.
Mexico’s commerce with the United States climbed by 16% year on year in February to $56.25 billion, with imports from Mexico jumping by 19% to $33 billion and US exports to Mexico increasing by 13% to $23.7 billion.
Mexico was the United States’ second-ranked trading partner in January and third in December. Prior to this month, Mexico had not placed first since April 2021.
In February, Mexico narrowly defeated Canada. Canada came in second with $56.2 billion in total commerce with the United States, an increase of 18% year on year. During February, Canada exported $25.3 billion to the United States and imported $30.9 billion.
In February, China’s overall trade with the United States was $53.9 billion, a 24 percent rise year on year. The United States imported $42.3 billion from China and exported $11.6 billion.
In February, Japan ($18 billion) and Germany ($14.8 billion) were the fourth- and fifth-largest trading partners of the United States.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data examined by WorldCity, the top three ports of entry in February were Chicago O’Hare International Airport at $25.5 billion, the Port of Los Angeles at $24.4 billion, and Port Laredo at $21.4 billion.
In February, Port Laredo handled 211,347 commercial vehicle crossings, a 27.5 percent increase over the same month in 2021.
In February, Port Laredo was the top-ranked U.S. port of entry for trade with Mexico, followed by:
- $5.3 billion Ysleta border bridge near El Paso, Texas.
- California’s Otay Mesa freeway border crossing costs $4.6 billion.
- Texas’ Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge costs $3.6 billion.
- $2.4 billion for the Eagle Pass International Bridge in Texas.
During February, the following were the top Mexican imports into the United States:
- $2.6 billion for passenger automobiles.
- $2.3 billion in auto parts.
- Computers are worth $2.2 billion.
- $1.8 billion for commercial automobiles.
- $1.2 billion for oil.
In February, the following were the top U.S. exports to Mexico:
- $2.5 billion for gasoline.
- $1.4 billion in auto parts.
- $1 billion in natural gas.
- $940 million for computer chips
- $769 million for computers.
Mexico has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest producer of auto parts.
According to the Mexican National Car Parts Industry Association, Mexico was the world’s fourth-largest auto parts maker in 2021. (INA).
Mexico will generate $94.78 billion in auto parts in 2021, a 21% increase from $78 billion in 2020.
According to Alberto Bustamante, INA director, the increase is attributable to increased demand for regional value content in the fabrication of auto parts to comply with provisions in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
According to USMCA, in order to maintain duty-free status, vehicles constructed in North America must have 75 percent of their components manufactured in the region.
According to INA data issued on Wednesday, Mexico has surpassed Germany as the world’s leading producer of auto parts. In 2021, the leading global car parts producers will be China ($470 billion), the United States ($228 billion), Japan ($172 billion), Mexico ($94 billion), and Germany ($87 billion).
Arizona will receive $315 million for port enhancements and development.
Arizona will get $315 million to enhance three ports of entry along the US-Mexico border, with the goal of streamlining cross-border trade and border security.
The monies will be used to enhance the existing Douglas port of entry as well as to build a commercial port about 4 miles west of Douglas. The new Douglas port of entry is expected to open in five years.
An additional $115 million will be spent on improving the San Luis I port on the Arizona-Mexico border near the California state line, and an unspecified amount will be spent at the Raul Hector Castro port in Douglas.
The monies represent Arizona’s share of $3.4 billion in federal funding for 26 land ports of entry on the country’s northern and southern borders, as part of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan.
At the border, CBP seizes $9 million in meth from commercial trucks.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently intercepted $9 million in methamphetamine at the US-Mexico border in two separate cases.
CBP officials detected more than 219 pounds of meth worth $4.3 million in a tractor-trailer arriving from Mexico carrying a supply of waterproof sealant on March 25 at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge in Laredo, Texas.
The second incident occurred on March 30, when an empty tractor-trailer arrived from Mexico at El Paso’s Ysleta port of entry. CBP officers discovered 548 pounds of liquid meth in the truck’s fuel tank during an examination. It is estimated to be worth $3 million on the open market.
In either case, no arrests were made right away. Both cases are still being investigated.
