The United States generated $23bn in tariff revenue from Mexican exports from April 2025 to April 2026, according to US Senate data. This makes Mexico the second-largest contributor to US tariff collections, El Economista reported. 

This data comes as the second round of negotiations between Mexico and the US for the renewal of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) began on June 15. 

Only Chinese exports surpassed that figure, with payments totalling $86.57bn during the same period, amid an ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) applied an average tariff rate of 4.19% to Mexican goods and 34.70% to Chinese imports over the period.

The second round of USMCA negotiations is scheduled to run through June 18. The round will focus on Mexico's responses and proposals, following a previous session in which the US set out its position on rules of origin for the automotive, steel and aluminium sectors, as well as regional economic security.

Canada has not participated in the negotiations. Speaking in Dublin on June 13, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he does not believe the Trump administration is seeking significant changes to the pact. 

"The United States has been clear. They do not want to change the fundamental structure of the agreement," Carney said.

Among the ten partners generating the most tariff revenue for the United States, Canada and Taiwan carried the lowest average rates. Canada paid $12.47bn at a rate of 3.37%, while Taiwan paid $7.63bn at 3.19%.

Other major contributors included Vietnam, which paid $22.41bn at an average rate of 10.18%; Germany, $15.66bn at 10.61%; Japan, $13.75bn at 13.75%; South Korea, $13.92bn at 10.69%; India, $12.98bn at 13.26%; and Thailand, $8.54bn at 7.77%.

Since taking office for a second term in January 2025, President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on imports from more than 200 trading partners. US imports from Mexico are currently subject to a 10% tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which took effect on 24 February 2026 for a maximum of 150 days, with exemptions for goods qualifying under USMCA rules of origin.

Certain Mexican exports to the United States also face variable tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, covering automobiles and auto parts, steel, aluminium and copper.

In February 2026, the Trump administration launched two investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into industrial overcapacity and the use of forced labour in manufacturing, which could lead to additional levies on imports from Mexico and other countries. According to the US government, the Section 301 probe is also linked to a strategy to replace tariffs previously imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — which were struck down by the Supreme Court and had reached 25% — and Section 122, which is set to expire on 24 July.

Washington has progressively expanded its use of tariffs, export controls and related instruments since 2017 to address what it regards as problematic practices by China, protect US competitiveness and reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.

Tariffs generate fiscal revenue for the US government and offer temporary protection to strategic industries, but also raise costs for consumers and manufacturers, erode the competitiveness of import-dependent sectors, heighten the risk of trade retaliation and weaken US soft power, according to the Senate data.