BILATERAL TRADE

According to the Secretary of Economy of Mexico and Ministry of Finance of Japan, in 2009, total trade between Japan and Mexico totaled 14.2 billion dollars, an decrease of 29.5% from 2008.

Mexican exports to Japan totaled 3.8 billion dollars (up 19.8%), while Mexican imports of Japanese products reached 16.3 billion dollars (below 0.2%) during 2008. This deficit can be explained due to the Japanese exports to Mexico of electronic and automotive parts and components used by manufacturing facilities of Japanese subsidiaries established in Mexico, the fact that contributes to the improvement of Mexico’s production and export capabilities. It is worth noting that more than 90 percent of Mexico’s imports of Japanese goods are intermediate and capital goods that are not produced in Mexico.

Among Mexican products destined to the Japanese market that registered high rates of growth in the said period were: copper ores, gold, silver, computer parts and components, automotive parts and components, medical and precision instruments, beef, pork, avocados and salt, among others. Main Japanese products exported to Mexico during the same period: parts and components of medical and precision instruments, electronic parts and components, and automotive parts, among others.