Houston led the United States in goods exports in 2024, with $180.9 billion worth of goods exported—a 3.1% increase from 2023 and nearly 40% more than in 2019. This total was higher than the combined exports of New York and Los Angeles. The Houston-Galveston Customs District handled a record 432.6 million metric tons of goods, up 6.6% from the previous year. At the same time, the national trade deficit continued to grow due to changes in trade policies and tariffs, according to KHOU.
The U.S. recorded a trade deficit of $140.5 billion in March. Businesses and consumers increased their stockpiles of goods ahead of new tariffs, leading to a rise in imports. Consumer goods imports went up by $22.5 billion, with pharmaceuticals from Ireland accounting for $20.9 billion of that increase, as reported by Houston Chronicle.
Houston continues to perform well economically, but analysts from Oxford Economics note that "Uncertainty remains high, and broader signs of front-loading may be visible in coming months" as industries respond to changes in global trade. Recent import data showed increases in capital goods and automotive parts, along with declines in industrial supplies and materials. The White House says the tariffs behind these changes aim to reduce trade deficits, support domestic manufacturing, and increase government revenue. March's trade deficit followed former President Trump’s “Liberation Day” declarations and the introduction of new tariffs, as mentioned by Houston Chronicle.
