Robs message board

“As of 2022, the latest data available, here's a breakdown of the trade between the US and its two largest trading partners:

Canada

Total trade: $736.8 billion
US exports to Canada: $323.8 billion
US imports from Canada: $413 billion
Mexico

Total trade: $685.1 billion
US exports to Mexico: $362 billion
US imports from Mexico: $323.1 billion

As of October 2024, there is no comprehensive trade data available for 2023. The collection and release of trade data typically takes some time after the end of the year.

However, it's likely that preliminary figures or estimates for 2023 trade will become available in the near future. You can check the websites of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Census Bureau for updates.”

Hmmm. Interesting. USAFacts.org is reporting that Mexico is now the largest trading partner. Let's see what others are saying ... some sources are citing 2022 data and saying the Canada was still the largest trading partner with the United States while others are stating that Mexico is now the largest. Here is a quick Google search.

In any case, the important point to stress that we three countries are strategically interdependent upon one another. As an exercise for our finance and investment students, I relate that as I was on a two-week trip through Mexico, I wrote down every United States brand that I saw along the way. I didn't go up and down the aisles of a grocery store or big box store. If I saw a brand name on the side of a store or advertised or used by a local, I wrote down that brand name. (This excludes all the t-shirts and other paraphernalia with Disney or Star Wars characters or U.S. sports teams or music celebrities, etc.) I crossed the border in Tijuana on foot, took the bus to the airport, flew to Mazatlan for three days, took the bus to Puerto Vallarta for three days, bus to Guadalajara for two days, bus to Morelia for two days, and the bus to Mexico City to meet up with some friends. We took a two-day trip to Cuernacaca and then back to Mexico City where I flew back to Tijuana and rode the bus to the border. I then ask the students to guess how many United States brands I saw. The guesses start around 20 or 30 and then usually go up to 80 or 100. The correct answer was 313.

We in the Western Hemisphere must work toward a political and trade agreement along the lines of the European Union. Yes, I know it will take decades but it is imperative. If not, we will simply be washed away by Asia's growing economic might.

Okay, Agent Orange nativists, it's your turn to howl.

It was also recently reported on Mexican national news that Mexico is now the USA's largest trading partner.