Mexico remained the United States’ largest trading partner in August, as cross-border commerce surged nearly 27% year over year to $94.3 billion.

Two-way trade between the U.S. and Mexico totaled $94.29 billion during the month, a 26.75% increase from $74.4 billion in August 2025, according to U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity.

U.S. exports to Mexico increased 15.1% year over year to $33.66 billion, while imports from Mexico jumped 34.3% to $60.64 billion. Mexico accounted for 17.4% of total U.S. international trade during August.

Canada ranked as the United States’ No. 2 trading partner during the month with $66.27 billion in two-way commerce, followed by China at No. 3 with $35.86 billion. 

The latest figures extend Mexico’s position at the top of the U.S. trade rankings. Through the first eight months of 2026, U.S.-Mexico commerce reached $682.82 billion, up 17.5% from the same period last year.

Canada ranked second year to date at $503.82 billion, while China was third at $257.43 billion. U.S. trade with China declined 12% compared with the same period in 2025. 

Overall U.S. international trade totaled $540.92 billion in August, including $204.75 billion in exports and $336.17 billion in imports.

Laredo retains No. 1 gateway ranking

Port Laredo remained the nation’s busiest international trade gateway in August, handling $38.56 billion in two-way commerce, up 28.5% from $30.02 billion a year earlier.

Imports through Laredo totaled $26.23 billion, a 33.9% increase, while exports increased 18.3% to $12.34 billion. Laredo alone accounted for 7.1% of all U.S. international trade during the month.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport ranked second in total trade during August at $33.4 billion, while the Port of Los Angeles came in at No. 3 at $27.8 billion.

Mexico overwhelmingly drives Port Laredo’s freight activity. Trade with Mexico represented $37.62 billion, or about 97.6%, of Laredo’s total August commerce.  

The figures underscore Laredo’s role as the primary conduit for the rapidly expanding U.S.-Mexico supply chain, especially for finished vehicles and auto parts. 

Motor vehicle parts were the gateway’s top export commodity in August at $1.33 billion, followed by diesel engines at $441 million. Computer exports through Laredo more than doubled from a year earlier to $370 million. 

Mexico’s August performance was also the highest for the month in WorldCity data dating to 2013.

Why it matters: The sharp growth in cross-border commerce shows the U.S.-Mexico freight corridor continuing to expand despite tariffs and broader trade uncertainty.

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