Between 2020 and 2024, digital service exports between the United States, Mexico, and Canada grew at an average annual rate of 12 percent.
As a result, these intraregional sales outpaced the growth of goods trade by a ratio of nearly three to one.
This information is based on data from the U.S. International Trade Commission, Statistics Canada, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Digital services exports
According to the Mexican Association of the Information Technology Industry (AMITI), cross-border exports of ICT services in North America already exceed $160 billion per year. This figure reflects a clear trend: digital trade drives regional competitiveness and generates new economic value.
Today, the digital economy is establishing itself as an essential driver for all three nations. According to the OECD, digital services contribute more than 11% of GDP in advanced economies and have grown at twice the rate of overall GDP over the past decade.
In North America, cross-border digital trade already exceeds $1.5 trillion annually. This flow includes software, cloud services, digital content, and specialized consulting, sectors that strengthen regional integration and productivity.
Digital platforms
From an economic perspective, AMITI maintains that Chapter 19 of the USMCA has boosted job creation, innovation, and SME participation. In its view, this framework allows small businesses to take advantage of digital platforms, access new markets, and integrate into regional value chains, thereby generating more inclusive growth.
According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the OECD, SMEs that adopt digital tools are up to 2.5 times more likely to export. In addition, they can increase their productivity by 20% to 30% through the use of digital services.
Chapter 19 has also strengthened trilateral cooperation in emerging areas such as cybersecurity, data protection, and artificial intelligence. This joint effort has made it possible to align standards and practices across North America.
Likewise, partnerships between agencies in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, together with private sector organizations such as AMITI and ITI, have created a shared foundation for responsible innovation and trust in the digital environment.
At its core, Chapter 19 protects the free cross-border flow of information, prohibits data localization requirements, and ensures non-discrimination of digital products and services.