At Enzo, we make it a priority to stay ahead of key shifts in trade and transportation. With Canada-Mexico trade dynamics gaining momentum under mounting tariff pressures, our team has been closely examining the implications for cross-border logistics and supply chain strategy.
Recent policy decisions in the United States have sparked renewed urgency in Canada and Mexico to strengthen bilateral ties and diversify trade corridors. These shifts are not just political talking points; they represent real, measurable impacts on freight volumes, distribution patterns, and carrier behaviors.
In 2024, merchandise trade between Canada & Mexico reached approximately C$56 billion, a twelve-fold increase since NAFTA’s inception in the early 1990s, marking a dramatic increase from historical levels and a sign of deepening economic cooperation. Since early 2025, the U.S. has imposed 25% tariffs on most imports from Canada & Mexico, including steel, aluminum, and automotive components. Uncertainty looms, and this is visible in cross-border demand.
Recently, Canadian Finance and Foreign Affairs ministers met with Mexican officials in Mexico City to explore trade frameworks and route diversification strategies as an explicit response to U.S. tariff threats. These discussions emphasized coordinated economic policy and trade resilience, the first formal steps towards operational alternatives to U.S.-centred supply chains.
Amidst these events, possible opportunities have caught our eye:
🔁 Alternative North-South Corridors: With both countries seeking to bypass U.S. tariffs, demand may grow for direct shipping lanes between Canadian ports (like Vancouver or Halifax) and Mexican ports (like Veracruz or Manzanillo)
🧱 Infrastructure Project Logistics: Assuming demand grows for direct lanes between the two countries, possible joint investments in infrastructure may occur, such as: new rail links, port enhancements, or trade corridors (like the proposed “Northern Corridor”). This could open the door for brokers to tap into large-scale project logistics, supporting movements of construction materials, heavy machinery, and oversized freight (our bread & butter😉).
📦 Multimodal Consolidation Services: Freight moving between Canada & Mexico may no longer benefit from the same streamlined U.S. transshipment advantages. This opens the door for brokers to build consolidation hubs and manage LTL/FTL hybrid solutions in regions that see new tradeflow (ie. the Pacific Northwest & Eastern Seaboard).
Whether it was Sun Tzu or Einstein’s quote, it is true that “in the midst of chaos lies great opportunity”. At Enzo, we are proactively positioning ourselves to support these emerging needs. Our experience in the industry has given us a strong foundation to facilitate trade, even as policy environments evolve. The real question is… Is your supply chain ready? 💪🏽
