The relationship between Mexican exports and employment in United States generates synergy that benefits both nations, said Sergio Gómez Lora, director of the Index Office in Washington.

“A Mexican export, an Index export to the United States, generates employment in the United States because it has U.S. content,” said Gómez Lora. 

Mexican exports and employment in United States

In the first half of 2025, sales of Mexican products to the United States grew 6.3%, totaling $264.383 billion, according to data from the Department of Commerce.

Conversely, U.S. exports to Mexico reached $168.17 billion. This represented a year-on-year increase of 1.1%.

For Gómez Lora, Mexico, as a strategic partner of the United States, is part of the solution and not part of the problem for the United States in terms of bringing more manufacturing and more jobs to that country, as the Trump administration intends. 

“We help the United States reduce its vulnerability to partners in other regions. We as a country, and Index as an association, are the main buyers of U.S. goods. Mexico buys more U.S. products than China, the United Kingdom, and Germany combined,” he added. 

Index

A significant portion of trade in goods between the United States and Mexico occurs under a shared production model. Manufacturers in both countries collaborate to create goods that cross the border.

In addition, the shipment of intermediate inputs from the United States to Mexico and the return of finished products strengthen this link. As a result, the border region has established itself as a strategic production center.

On the other hand, the Index, founded in 1973, plays an essential role in this environment. This civil association brings together 18 local associations and represents nearly 1,500 companies under the IMMEX program, out of a total of 6,400 in the country. Its main objective is to boost Mexican exports and strengthen the sector’s competitiveness.

“The Index purchases nearly $100 billion worth of U.S. inputs annually,” said Gómez Lora, who is also CEO of the consulting firm IQOM. 

The American content of the products exported by Mexico is much higher than that of any other country in the world. 

“Much higher than Europe and Asia, because we are integrated with the American economy and we bring American inputs to produce in Mexico. A Mexican export, an Index export to the United States, generates employment in the United States because it has American content,” he concluded.