The U.S. trade deficit with Mexico has surged by 26.1% this year, reaching a historic figure of nearly $184 billion, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau cited by El Economista. This shift means that while the U.S. is importing more from Mexico, it highlights an increasing economic interdependence that could impact jobs and prices for consumers in both countries.
Imports from Mexico have risen by 20.7%, totaling approximately $481.6 billion. In contrast, U.S. exports to Mexico increased by 17.6%, amounting to about $297.6 billion. The balance shows that for September alone, Mexico’s exports to the U.S. were a record $62.2 billion and have now exceeded $60 billion for three consecutive months.
Additionally, the U.S. recorded its largest goods trade deficit with Mexico in September, at $28.15 billion, marking a 40% year-on-year increase. Despite efforts by the current U.S. administration to reduce trade deficits globally, the trade gap with Mexico has widened, largely driven by strong U.S. demand for computer equipment.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently reported a 24.6% increase in Mexico’s foreign trade during the year’s first half, underscoring the growing manufacturing demand from the U.S., particularly for information technology and components for data centers. The report emphasizes that U.S. interest in artificial intelligence goods has significantly contributed to Mexico’s economic performance, accounting for 75-80% of growth recorded in 2026.
This regional trend is evident as Latin America’s exports grew by 19.5%, surpassing the global trade increase of 14.5%, positioning Mexico as a leader in this expansion. Notably, Mexico is responsible for 93% of the region’s exports of data processing equipment, which is vital for the construction of modern technological infrastructures.