Laredo becomes No. 1 trade port in the US
In March, trade facilitated through the City of Laredo surpassed that of Los Angeles for the first time ever, making Laredo the No. 1 port in the country, be it land, sea or air.
Local leaders have long touted Laredo’s ranking as the No. 1 inland port in the U.S. as proof of the important role the city plays in state and national economies. And since 97% of trade coming through Laredo’s bridges is with Mexico, leaders often point to the financial significance of this binational relationship when ties to Mexico are under threat.
Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz was in Austin on Tuesday for a meeting on the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, which seeks to identify important trade corridors in both Texas and Mexico, and create a plan to fund their growth. As the No. 1 inland port in the country, it has been important for Laredo to be represented at meetings such as these, Saenz said.
After the meeting, though, Laredo was not just the No. 1 inland port, but the No. 1 port overall. Saenz said he was at lunch when someone texted him the news. He was elated and taken aback. He added it was outstanding news for the City of Laredo, and a ranking they have been pursuing.
Read more: https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Laredo-becomes-No-1-trade-port-in-the-US-13871740.php
(Laredo Morning Times)
