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 $500 billion in 2011. Exports totaled $223 billion; Imports totaled $277 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with Mexico was $54 billion in 2011.

Mexico is currently our 3rd largest goods trading partner with $461 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2011. Goods exports totaled $198 billion; Goods imports totaled $263 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Mexico was $66 billion in 2011.

Trade in services with Mexico (exports and imports) totaled $40 billion in 2011 (preliminary data). Services exports were $26 billion; Services imports were $14 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with Mexico was $12 billion in 2011.

Exports

Mexico was the United States’ 2nd largest goods export market in 2011.

U.S. goods exports to Mexico in 2011 were $197.5 billion, up 20.8% ($34.1 billion) from 2010, and up 76.8% from 2000. It is up 375% since 1993 (Pre-NAFTA). U.S. exports to Mexico accounted for 13.3% of overall U.S. exports in 2011.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2011 were: Electrical Machinery ($32.3 billion), Machinery ($31.2 billion), Mineral Fuel and Oil ($23.4 billion), Vehicles ($17.9 billion), and Plastic ($12.7 billion).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Mexico totaled $18.4 billion in 2011, the 3rd largest U.S. Ag export market. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($3.3 billion), red meats, fresh/chilled/frozen ($1.8 billion), and soybeans ($1.7 billion), dairy products ($1.2 billion), and wheat ($1.0 billion).

U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to Mexico were $25.6 billion in 2011 (preliminary data), 6% ($1.5 billion) more than 2010 and 65% greater than 2000. It was up 144% from 2003 (Pre-NAFTA). The other private services (business, professional, and technical services), and the travel categories accounted for most of U.S. services exports to Mexico.

Imports

Mexico was the United States' 3rd largest supplier of goods imports in 2011.

U.S. goods imports from Mexico totaled $263.1 billion in 2011, up 14.4% ($33.2 billion) from 2010, and up 93.6% from 2000. It is up 559% since 1993 (Pre-NAFTA). U.S. imports from Mexico accounted for 11.9% of overall U.S. imports in 2011.

The five largest import categories in 2011 were: Electrical Machinery ($54.3 billion), Vehicles (cars, trucks and parts) ($45.8 billion), Mineral Fuel and Oil (crude) ($44.1 billion), Machinery ($38.6 billion), and Precious Stones (gold and silver) ($9.8 billion).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Mexico totaled $15.8 billion in 2011, the 2nd largest U.S. supplier. Leading categories include: fresh vegetables ($4.1 billion), fresh fruit (excluding bananas) ($2.4 billion), wine and beer ($1.7 billion), and snack foods (including chocolate) ($1.4 billion).

U.S. imports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) from Mexico were $14.0 billion in 2011 (preliminary data), up 2% ($304 million) from 2010, and up 30% from 2000. It was up 89% from 2003 (Pre-NAFTA). Travel accounted for most of U.S. services imports from Mexico in 2011.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Mexico was $65.6 billion in 2011, a 1.3% decrease ($873 million) over 2010. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Mexico accounted for 9.0% of the overall U.S. goods trade deficit in 2011.

The United States had a services trade surplus of $11.6 billion with Mexico in 2011 (preliminary data), up 12% from 2010.

Historical Trade Data  Note:  NAFTA entered into force, January 1, 2004

U.S. Goods Trade with Mexico (in billions of dollars)

U.S. Services Trade with Mexico (in billions of dollars), 1990, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2007-2011

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico (stock) was $90.3 billion in 2010 (latest data available), a 1.0% increase from 2009.

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

Mexican FDI in the United States (stock) was $12.6 billion in 2010 (latest data available), up 9.6% from 2009.

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 $30.5 billion in 2009, (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.