Honestly, if you took a quick walk through your house right now and tossed out everything that started its life south of the border, you’d probably be sitting in a very empty, very quiet room. It is that deep. Most people think of "made in Mexico" and their mind immediately goes to a cold Corona or a bowl of guacamole. And yeah, those are big. But the scale of what we actually get from Mexico is way more industrial and "high-tech" than most of us realize.
As of early 2026, Mexico has solidified its spot as the primary trading partner for the United States. We aren't just talking about a few crates of tomatoes; we’re talking about a massive, interconnected machine that keeps American life running. From the car sitting in your driveway to the flat-screen TV on your wall and even the medical devices in your local hospital, Mexico is the silent engine behind a huge portion of the US economy.
The Vehicles That Move Us
Cars are the heavy hitters. If you’re wondering what goods do we get from Mexico, look no further than the automotive sector. It’s the backbone of the whole relationship. It's not just "parts," though parts are a massive chunk of it (think wire harnesses, engines, and transmissions). We are getting entire vehicles.
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About 16 out of every 100 cars sold in the United States are manufactured in Mexico. Big names like General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (who make Jeeps and Rams) have massive footprints there. If you drive a pickup truck, there’s a statistically high chance it rolled off an assembly line in a place like Saltillo or Silao.
It’s not just the "American" brands either.
- Volkswagen's massive plant in Puebla is legendary.
- Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda are all over the Bajío region.
- Even Audi has a high-tech facility there for SUVs.
The integration is so tight that a single car part might cross the border eight or nine times before the final vehicle is sold. It’s a literal moving jigsaw puzzle. Despite the recent tariff rollercoasters of 2025, where we saw temporary 25% levies on some automotive goods, the flow hasn't stopped. It’s simply too expensive to move these factories anywhere else.
The Screen You’re Reading This On (Probably)
Mexico is basically the "Silicon Valley of the South," particularly around Guadalajara. We get an incredible amount of electronics and appliances from them. If you bought a flat-screen TV recently—especially a big one—there is a massive probability it was assembled in a "maquiladora" near the border.
Samsung, LG, and Sony all have huge operations there. But it’s not just TVs.
We get:
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- Computers and data-processing machines.
- Monitors and projectors.
- Telephones and communication equipment.
- Refrigerators and washing machines.
Basically, if it plugs into a wall and has a screen or a motor, Mexico likely had a hand in it. In the first half of 2025, electrical and electronic equipment accounted for over $100 billion in trade. That is a staggering amount of hardware.
The Produce Aisle and the Bar
Okay, let's talk about the stuff you actually see at the store. Agriculture is the second most important export category now, actually surpassing oil in recent years. This is a big shift. Mexico is becoming a global powerhouse for fresh food, and the US is their best customer.
The Avocado Monopoly
You already know this one. Mexico provides roughly 80% of the avocados consumed in the US. If they stopped shipping for a week, the price of toast in San Francisco would probably cause a riot. But it’s more than just "alligator pears."
The Veggie Drawer
- Tomatoes: We spend nearly $2 billion a year on Mexican tomatoes.
- Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries have seen a massive surge in the last two years.
- Bell Peppers and Asparagus: These are year-round staples that rely on Mexican climate.
And then there’s the liquid gold. Mexico is the world's largest exporter of beer, and almost all of it comes here. Brands like Corona, Modelo, and Dos Equis aren't just niche imports; Modelo Especial became the top-selling beer in America recently. Couple that with the tequila and mezcal boom, and Mexico is basically the primary supplier for the American happy hour.
Surprising Industrials: Medical Devices and Steel
This is the part that usually catches people off guard. We get a ton of medical equipment from Mexico. It’s actually Latin America's leading exporter of medical devices. We’re talking about high-stakes stuff: pacemakers, surgical instruments, and orthopedic appliances. If you’ve had a procedure lately, there’s a good chance the tools or the implants came from a clean room in Tijuana or Juárez.
Then there’s the raw material.
Mexico is a top-three supplier of steel to the US. Even with the 50% duties on steel and aluminum that hit the news in 2025, the demand for Mexican metal remains high because the supply chains are so localized. We also get a significant amount of silver—Mexico is the world’s top producer—which is becoming even more critical for the production of solar panels and electric vehicles.
Why the "Made in Mexico" Label is Changing
The old stereotype of Mexico being just a source of "cheap labor" for basic goods is dead. The complexity of what we’re getting now is through the roof. The shift toward "nearshoring"—where companies move manufacturing out of Asia and into North America—has turned Mexico into a high-tech hub.
However, it hasn't been all smooth sailing. 2025 was a weird year for trade. Between the "Liberation Day" tariffs and the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico in US documents to the "Gulf of America," tensions have been high. But the economic reality is that the US and Mexico are "married" at the supply chain level.
You can't just "unplug" Mexico without crashing the US auto industry and making your local grocery store look like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie.
What This Means for You
If you’re a consumer or a business owner, the takeaway is simple: your cost of living is directly tied to the border. When you see news about trade disputes or new tariffs, it’s not just "politics"—it’s the reason your next car or your grocery bill might jump 10%.
Next Steps to Understand Your Connection:
- Check the Labels: Next time you’re in the produce aisle, look at the stickers on your berries or avocados. Look at the back of your TV or the inside of your car door frame. You’ll start to see just how prevalent these goods are.
- Watch the USMCA: Keep an eye on any updates regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This is the "rulebook" that decides if your goods stay affordable or get hit with taxes.
- Diversify if You're a Pro: If you run a business that relies on these imports, 2026 is the year to look into "Rule of Origin" certifications. Products that can prove they are truly North American are often the only ones that dodge the heavy tariffs.
Mexico isn't just a neighbor; it’s the pantry, the garage, and the medicine cabinet of the United States. Understanding that makes the news a lot more personal.