Trade by the Numbers: What the Data Really Says About Trade

Hosts: Andy Shiles & Lalo Solorzano

Guest: Ken Roberts, Founder of WorldCity

Published: January 2026

Length: ~44 minutes

Presented by: Global Training Center


???? Episode Summary


As we kick off 2026, Andy and Lalo sit down with Ken Roberts, one of the most respected voices in global trade data and the founder of WorldCity, to cut through the noise and look at what the numbers actually say about U.S. trade.



This episode is a masterclass in data-driven trade storytelling. Ken walks listeners through the biggest shifts in global trade flows, explaining how U.S. trade relationships with Mexico, China, Canada, and Vietnam have evolved — and what those changes really mean for businesses making sourcing, routing, and investment decisions today.



The conversation covers everything from why Mexico is now the United States’ top trade partner, to how AI-driven server demand is reshaping imports, why gold exports are surging, and how de minimis and e-commerce shipments are quietly transforming trade volumes. Along the way, Andy and Lalo translate the data into real-world implications for compliance teams, logistics planners, and executive leadership.



If you work in trade, supply chain, or logistics — or if you need to explain trade impacts to senior leadership in plain English — this is an episode you’ll want to share.


????️ Key Takeaways



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Mexico has become the U.S.’s #1 trade partner — for imports, exports, and total trade.




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China’s share of U.S. trade has dropped below 10% for the first time in decades.




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AI infrastructure demand is driving massive growth in computer and server imports, especially through air cargo.




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Gold exports are surging, driven more by price and economic uncertainty than volume.




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De minimis and e-commerce shipments are reshaping both imports and exports.




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Trade deficits don’t tell the whole story — they often reflect economic strength and consumer demand.




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Rules of origin and enforcement will be a major theme in 2026, especially under USMCA review.




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Trade policy moves slowly — even dramatic announcements take years to show up in the data.





???? Topics Covered in This Episode



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U.S. trade trends heading into 2026




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Why Mexico overtook China and Canada




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Port and airport shifts (Chicago, JFK, Laredo, LA)




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AI, servers, and Taiwan’s rise in trade rankings




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Gold, energy exports, and economic uncertainty




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De minimis, e-commerce, and low-value shipments




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China trade diversion vs. true decoupling




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What trade data means for routing, sourcing, and strategy





???? Resources & Mentions



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Ken Roberts (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenrobertsworldcitytradenumber/




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WorldCity / U.S. Trade Numbers: https://ustradenumbers.com/




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Ken Roberts on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenroberts/




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U.S. Customs & Border Protection Trade Data: https://www.cbp.gov/trade




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U.S. Census Bureau – Trade Statistics: https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade





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