🇸🇻 El Salvador vs 🇲🇽 Mexico Tariffs — Import Duty Comparison (2026)

El Salvador and Mexico are both significant US trading partners, but their tariff profiles differ in important ways that affect import costs.

Both countries face the same base tariff rate of 10% on most goods entering the United States.

These countries have largely distinct export profiles to the United States, serving different market segments.

In terms of trade volume, El Salvador accounts for approximately $4B in bilateral trade with the US, compared to Mexico's $779B.

Both countries are subject to the 10% Section 122 tariff imposed on February 24, 2026, following the Supreme Court's ruling striking down IEEPA tariffs. This rate expires approximately July 24, 2026 unless Congress extends it, and USTR has proposed 12.5% Section 301 duties on 46 countries — including China, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea — to replace it, with a July 20, 2026 completion deadline.

El Salvador's advantages include: Unique export categories: Textiles, Coffee, Sugar. Mexico's advantages include: Higher US trade volume ($779B vs $4B); Unique export categories: Motor vehicles, Auto parts, Computers.

With equivalent base tariff rates, the choice between El Salvador and Mexico depends primarily on product-specific duties, shipping costs, lead times, and supply chain considerations rather than the base tariff rate.