Mexico

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has fostered this relationship by virtue of the agreement's comprehensive, market-opening rules. It is also creating a more equitable set of trade rules as trade barriers in Mexico are reduced and eliminated.

U.S.-Mexico Trade Facts

U.S. goods and services trade with Mexico totaled $341 billion in 2009 (latest data available for goods and services trade combined). Exports totaled $151 billion; Imports totaled $190 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with Mexico was $39 billion in 2009.

Mexico is currently our 3rd largest goods trading partner with $393 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $163 billion; Goods imports totaled $230 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Mexico was $66 billion in 2010.

Trade in services with Mexico (exports and imports) totaled $36 billion in 2009 (latest data available for services trade). Services exports were $22 billion; Services imports were $14 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with Mexico was $8 billion in 2009.

Exports

Mexico was the United States' 2nd largest goods export market in 2010.

U.S. goods exports to Mexico in 2010 were $163.3 billion, up 26.7% ($34.4 billion) from 2009, and up 221% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round). It is up 293% since 1993 (Pre-NAFTA). U.S. exports to Mexico accounted for 12.8% of overall U.S. exports in 2010.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Electrical Machinery ($31.5 billion), Machinery ($24.7 billion), Vehicles ($14.5 billion), Mineral Fuel and Oil ($14.2 billion), and Plastic ($11.4 billion).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Mexico totaled $11.8 billion in 2010, the 3rd largest U.S. Ag export market. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($3.1 billion), red meats, fresh/chilled/frozen ($2.2 billion), and soybeans ($1.1 billion), and wheat ($795 million).

U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to Mexico were $21.8 billion in 2009 (latest data available), 8.0% ($1.9 billion) less than 2008 but 93% greater than 1994 levels. The other private services (business, professional, and technical services), and the travel categories accounted for most of U.S. exports in 2010.

Imports

Mexico was the United States' 3rd largest supplier of goods imports in 2010.

U.S. goods imports from Mexico totaled $229.7 billion in 2010, up 30.0% ($53.0 billion) from 2009, and up 364% over the last 16 years. It is up 475% since 1993 (Pre-NAFTA). U.S. imports from Mexico accounted for 12.0% of overall U.S. imports in 2010.

The five largest import categories in 2010 were: Electrical Machinery ($53.9 billion), Vehicles (cars and parts) ($40.2 billion), Machinery ($33.6 billion), Mineral Fuel and Oil (crude) ($33.4 billion), and Optic and Medical Instruments ($8.8 billion).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Mexico totaled $13.6 billion in 2010, the 2nd largest U.S. supplier. Leading categories include: fresh vegetables ($3.6 billion), fresh fruit (excluding bananas) ($2.3 billion), wine and beer ($1.6 billion), and snack foods (including chocolate) ($1.3 billion).

U.S. imports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) from Mexico were $13.5 billion in 2009 (latest data available), down 11.3% ($1.7 billion) from 2008, but up 72% from 1994 levels. Travel accounted for most of U.S. services imports from Mexico in 2009.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Mexico was $66.3 billion in 2010, a 38.9% increase ($18.6 billion) over 2009. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Mexico accounted for 10.5% of the overall U.S. goods trade deficit in 2010.

The United States had a services trade surplus of $8.3 billion with Mexico in 2009 (latest data available).

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico (stock) was $97.9 billion in 2009 (latest data available), a 9.2% increase from 2008.

U.S. FDI in Mexico is primarily concentrated in the nonbank holding companies, manufacturing, and finance/insurance sectors.

Mexican FDI in the United States (stock) was $11.4 billion in 2009 (latest data available), up 20.3% from 2008.

Mexican direct investment in the U.S. is led by the manufacturing sector.

Sales of services in Mexico by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $32.1 billion in 2008, (latest data available), while sales of services in the United States by majority Mexico-owned firms were $3.1 billion.

NOTE: Refers to private services trade not including U.S. military sales, direct defense expenditures and other miscellaneous U.S. government services.