Â鶹AV

In 2023, trade between the United States and Mexico totaled $797.96 billion, making Mexico the U.S.'s second-largest trading partner after Canada. The majority of this trade consisted of U.S. imports from Mexico, totaling $475.22 billion, while exports to Mexico reached $322.74 billion. Texas holds a clear lead in trade with Mexico, totaling $272.33 billion in 2023, followed by California, Michigan, Illinois, and Tennessee.

Top 10 States That Trade The Most With Mexico

1. Texas - $272.33 Billion

In 2023, Texas dominated trade with Mexico, leading all states by a wide margin with $272.33 billion in total trade. Of this total, Texas exported $129.6 billion to Mexico and imported $142.73 billion. To put this number into perspective, Texas trades more with Mexico than the United States does with the United Kingdom, Spain, and Brazil combined. According to the Perryman Group, trade between Mexico and Texas has created over 8 million jobs, many of which are concentrated in Texas. Some of Texas’ top exports to Mexico include mineral fuels and oil, while its major imports consist of transportation equipment, nuclear reactors, boilers, and machinery.

2. California - $94.75 Billion

Since 1999, Mexico has been California’s leading trading partner and most important market for California-made, exported goods. In 2023, California ranked second among U.S. states in trade with Mexico, totaling $94.75 billion. Of this total, California exported $33.25 billion to Mexico and imported $61.5 billion. Computer and electronic equipment are the state’s top exports, while transportation equipment is the largest import. According to a 2021 report from the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, approximately 177,000 jobs in California are tied to trade and commercial relations with Mexico.

3. Michigan - $83.88 Billion

With $83.88 billion in trade during 2023, Michigan ranks third among U.S. states in trade with Mexico. Michigan exported $14.85 billion to Mexico, while the remaining $65 billion consisted of imported goods. The automotive industry is the dominating force behind Mexico and Michigan’s commercial relations. Michigan’s top exports to Mexico include cars, trucks, and auto parts, while its imports mainly consist of auto parts, engines, and engine components. According to the Mexican Consulate in Detroit, trade between Michigan and Mexico supported 128,600 jobs as of 2017.

4. Illinois - $31.17 Billion

Illinois ranked fourth among U.S. states in trade with Mexico in 2023, totaling 31.17 billion in trade. Of this total, $12.92 billion were exports to Mexico, while $18.26 billion were imports. Illinois primarily exports agricultural goods to Mexico, while its main imports include beverages and tobacco products. Following Canada, Mexico is Illinois’ second most important export market. Since 2019, exports to Mexico have risen by 39%, indicating an increasing economic importance. According to a 2020 report from the Embassy of Mexico in the U.S., trade with Mexico has contributed to approximately 199,800 jobs in Illinois.

5. Tennessee - $20.13 Billion

Tennessee traded a total of $20.13 billion with Mexico in 2023, ranking fifth among U.S. states. Of this amount, Tennessee exported $6.09 billion to Mexico and imported $14.04 billion. Similar to Michigan, the primary force behind Tennessee and Michigan’s trading relationship is rooted in the automotive industry. The two biggest exports from Tennessee, for example, are motor vehicle parts, while its largest imported goods are both motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Despite ranking fifth, Tennessee’s trade with Mexico remains substantial, exceeding the total trade value between the United States and Argentina.

6. Arizona - $19.73 Billion

Trading a total of $19.73 billion in 2023, Arizona ranks sixth among US states in trade with Mexico. Arizona exports roughly 7.98 billion of this total to Mexico and imports $11.75 billion. As a result, Mexico stands as Arizona’s largest trading partner, with trade volume four times that of the next largest country. Over the past several years, the commercial relationship between Arizona and Mexico has expanded, with exports to Mexico growing by 4.7% and imports rising by 30.7% from 2018 to 2023. Metal ores are Arizona’s top export to Mexico, representing roughly $1.5 billion, while vegetables and melons are the most significant import, at approximately $1.8 billion.

7. Ohio - $19.66 Billion

In 2023, Ohio and Mexico traded a total of $19.66 billion, making Ohio the seventh-ranked U.S. state in terms of trade with Mexico. $8.28 billion of this total were exports from Ohio, while $11.38 billion were imports. Motor vehicle parts account for Ohio’s top exports and imports with Mexico, followed by motor vehicles as the second-largest export and navigational, medical, measuring, and control instruments as the second-largest import. To put the size of this trade relationship into perspective, Ohio’s relationship with Mexico surpasses the total trade between the United States and Denmark.

8. Georgia - $18.61 Billion

With a total value of $18.61 billion, Georgia’s trade with Mexico ranks eighth, just below that of Ohio’s. $4.88 billion of this amount is from Georgia exports, while $13.73 is from imports. These trade relations have contributed to more than 157,000 jobs in Georgia, with export figures continuing to rise. Some of Georgia’s most relevant exports to Mexico include paper products, semiconductors and electrical parts, and audiovisual equipment, while some of the most relevant imports include audiovisual equipment, motor vehicles, and electrical equipment and components.

9. North Carolina - $15.7 Billion

North Carolina ranks ninth in terms of trade relations with Mexico, trading a total of $15.7 billion in 2023. Of this amount, $5.37 billion is represented in North Carolina exports to Mexico, while 10.33 billion are imports. 14% of the state’s total exports go to Mexico, and trade relations between both North Carolina and Mexico support approximately 150,000 jobs. Top exports from North Carolina to Mexico include basic chemicals, engines, turbines, transmission equipment, and electrical parts, while top imports include computer equipment, electrical parts, and electrical equipment and components.

10. Florida - $14.71 Billion

Florida traded $14.71 billion with Mexico in 2023, placing it just about $1 billion below North Carolina. Of this total, $4.25 billion consisted of exports from Florida to Mexico, while $10.45 billion represented imports. This trade has a significant impact on the Florida economy, attributing to more than 310,000 jobs. Some of Florida’s largest exports to Mexico include aerospace parts and products, dairy products, and paper products, while some of the largest imports include motor vehicles, beverages, tree nuts, and fruit. To put Florida’s trade relationship with Mexico into perspective, their total trade surpasses that of the United States and Norway.

Final Thoughts

The United States and Mexico have maintained diplomatic relations for over 200 years, shaping the trade and economic ties that exist today. While some states owe their strong connections to Mexico to geographical proximity, others, like Michigan and Tennessee, have worked to cultivate these ties in order to support key industries and foster mutual economic growth. The future will reveal how these trading ties continue to evolve, but their lasting impact on economic development and industry growth is clear.

Ranked Trade Totals by State with Mexico