By María José Gamba
$56.708 billion. That’s the value of Mexican exports in July 2025, according to the latest report from INEGI. Sounds impressive, right? A 4% annual growth is always good news… but then why did the trade balance close with a $17 million deficit?
In a context where the United States tightens new tariff policies and global trade reorganizes, these figures aren’t just statistics: they impact your costs, your routes, and even your sourcing decisions.
Let’s break it down with a practical approach: what happened, why it matters, and what you can do as a company to stay ahead.
What Happened in July With Mexican Foreign Trade?
📌 Exports grew, but not all equally:
+5.2% in non-oil exports, while oil exports dropped -23%.
Manufacturing remains the engine:
Industrial machinery and equipment: +28.7%
Professional and scientific equipment: +17%
Electronics: +10.2%
Automotive sector in trouble: -7% overall, with a 9.2% drop to the U.S. (critical data for companies in the sector!).
Agricultural and fishing products: -5.6%.
📌 Imports also increased:
$56.724 billion, +1.7% YoY.
Intermediate goods (the ones you need to produce): +2.5%.
Capital goods (machinery): -2.2%.
📌 The bottom line? A $17 million trade deficit, the first after two months of surplus.
Why Is There a Deficit If We Exported More?
Three words: tariffs, oil, and cars.
The U.S. tightened its tariff policy, affecting value chains, especially in automotive manufacturing.
Oil exports keep falling, hitting the balance hard.
Even though manufacturing rose, the automotive sector — key in the Mexico-U.S. relationship — contracted.
What Does This Mean for Your Company?
This isn’t a distant issue:
If you rely on imported inputs, costs may rise.
If you export, pressure from tariffs and logistics disruptions will continue.
💡 Three key impacts to anticipate:
✔ Longer delivery times at border crossings due to tariff and regulatory inspections.
✔ Higher cost volatility, driven by tariff adjustments and exchange rate fluctuations.
✔ Pressure in automotive and electronics supply chains, with possible delays or shortages of parts.
So… How Do You Prepare?
✅ Diversify markets: Growth outside the U.S. was +12.2%. Looking toward Europe, South America, and Asia is no longer optional.
✅ Review your nearshoring strategy: Relocation remains a trend, but with risks. Evaluate suppliers and strengthen logistics contracts.
✅ Strengthen your risk management in transportation: Theft, blockades, tariffs… you need full visibility and contingency plans.
Growth, Yes—But With Risks You Must Manage
Mexican foreign trade is growing, but it’s no longer enough to export more: now you must export better, safer, and with plans to face global uncertainty.
At Americas Forwarding, we help your cargo cross borders without surprises:
Real-time monitoring
Regulatory compliance
Contingency plans for every scenario
📩 Let’s talk today and strengthen your supply chain against the new challenges of international trade.
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