BMW Manufacturing Remains Largest Automotive Exporter By Value in the United States

• Export Value from South Carolina Plant is $9 Billion.
• Nearly 200,000 BMWs Exported to Nearly 120 Countries.
• From 2014 to 2025, BMW’s Export Value Totaled More Than $113 Billion.

Spartanburg, S.C. – March 5, 2026… BMW Manufacturing
has confirmed that it led the nation in automotive exports by value
during 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Department of
Commerce. Last year, the South Carolina plant exported nearly 200,000
BMW X models with a total export value of $9 billion. Additionally,
from 2014 – 2025, Plant Spartanburg exported nearly 3 million vehicles
with an export value of $113 billion.

The BMWs assembled in Spartanburg, South Carolina, were primarily
exported through the Port of Charleston, SC, and through four
additional ports: Brunswick, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Everglades, FL; and
Baltimore, MD. More than 14,000 BMWs were also exported via rail.

“Free trade and open markets enable growth and prosperity. Our plants
— and above all the strong supplier networks in each respective region
— benefit from this,” said Milan Nedeljković, Member

of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production.

“BMW Manufacturing is proud to be the largest automotive exporter by
value in the United States, a distinction that underscores our
commitment to both the state of South Carolina and the nation’s
economic strength,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of
BMW Manufacturing. “Our exports play a crucial role in supporting a
favorable balance of trade, which is essential for sustained economic growth.

During 2025, associates assembled 412,799 BMW X models. This marks
the third-highest total in the plant’s 32-year history and the seventh
time the plant has exceeded 400,000 units.

Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $16 billion in its
South Carolina operations. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group
plant in the world, assembling more than 1,500 vehicles each day. The
plant is an important part of BMW’s global production network and
plays a critical role in meeting the high demand for BMW Sports
Activity Vehicles and Coupes in the U.S. and around the world. About
50 percent of its vehicles are shipped to nearly 120 global markets,
making the BMW Group the largest automotive exporter by value in the
United States for more than a decade. In 2025, more than 52 percent of
BMW vehicles sold in the United States came from Plant Spartanburg.
The model portfolio includes five top-selling BMW X models, three
Motorsport X models, and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models.
The factory has an annual production capacity of up to 450,000
vehicles and has more than 12,000 jobs onsite. 

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BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich,
Germany, and assembles the BMW X3, X5, X5 M, X7, and XM Sports
Activity Vehicles and the BMW X6 and X6 M Sports Activity Coupes.  In
addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW Group North
American subsidiaries include sales, marketing, and financial services
operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America; a
manufacturing plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico; and a design firm and
technology office in California. For more information on BMW
Manufacturing, visit www.bmwusfactory.com.

BMW Group in the United States.

BMW Group began operations in the U.S. over 50 years ago. In
addition to the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI,
Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad vehicles, BMW Group’s business in the
U.S. spans 30 locations in 12 states including BMW Group Financial
Services, BMW Manufacturing, Designworks, BMW Technology Office USA,
and BMW i Ventures. The company’s U.S. plant in South Carolina is the
largest single BMW production facility in the world and the global
center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group
sales organization is represented by a nationwide network of 355 BMW
retailers, 147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car
dealers, and 37 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. Taken together, BMW
Group’s business activities in the U.S. provide and support over
120,000 jobs and contribute more than $43.3 billion to the U.S.
economy annually.

For more information about BMW Group’s business and products in the
U.S., please visit: PressClub USA.

# # #

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Strengthening US competitiveness through a renewed USMCA

Introduction

One of the most consequential economic achievements of President Donald Trump’s first term, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), modernized North American trade and secured enforceable commitments from Canada and Mexico to support American workers and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. The agreement established robust intellectual property protections, cutting-edge digital trade rules, expanded market access in key sectors, and strengthened rules of origin to ensure that the benefits of preferential trade accrue to North American producers. Extending USMCA this year and restoring duty-free treatment for all qualifying goods—while aligning with Mexico and Canada on policies to strengthen economic security—will be essential to preserving supply chain resilience, sustaining U.S. economic growth, and strengthening America’s competitive position against China in critical industries.

Benefits of the trilateral agreement

The USMCA has delivered measurable benefits for the U.S. economy. Trade with Canada and Mexico now supports more than 13 million American jobs across manufacturing, agriculture, and services.1 Since USMCA entered into force, Canada and Mexico have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in the United States, reinforcing integrated North American supply chains and driving regional trade to nearly $2 trillion in goods and services annually.2 Together, Canada and Mexico purchase more U.S. manufactured goods than the next dozen U.S. trading partners combined and represent the top export markets for U.S. agricultural products.34

Maintaining USMCA as a trilateral agreement is essential to preserving the United States’ economic advantage in North America because key sectors of the U.S. economy depend on deeply integrated supply chains. In 2024, more than half of U.S. manufacturing trade with Canada and Mexico occurred between related parties, reflecting deeply integrated production systems, particularly in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, where components cross borders multiple times before final assembly.5 Consistent with this integration, the U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that the United States received roughly 80% of vehicle manufacturing investment in the USMCA region between 2019 and 2023.6

Strategic importance

During President Trump’s second term, USMCA has taken on increased strategic importance. As global trade has become more fragmented, the agreement has provided a stable economic foundation for North American firms and workers, while strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on China and other non-market economies.

The upcoming review of the agreement presents an opportunity for the administration to deepen cooperation on shared challenges and to align more closely in response to the policies and practices of non-market economies, including China, that undermine fair competition and market-based investment.

The parties should use existing USMCA mechanisms, including the Competitiveness Committee, and work closely with the private sector to improve alignment on export controls, investment screening, critical minerals supply chains, trusted technologies, and excess capacity. For example, the partners could strengthen information-sharing and coordination on foreign investment review to ensure that subsidized or state-directed investments do not exploit duty-free access to the North American market. Greater alignment would reinforce trust in integrated North American supply chains and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the USMCA region.

USMCA-compliant trade should be duty-free

To fully realize the benefits of USMCA and sustain the competitiveness of North American supply chains, the United States must preserve the duty-free treatment that lies at the core of the agreement. Predictable, tariff-free access is not a discretionary benefit; it is the fundamental incentive that underpins investment decisions, sourcing strategies, and the integration of regional supply chains. Absent confidence that qualifying goods will move duty-free across borders, companies are less likely to invest in North America. Goods that comply with USMCA’s rules of origin should be exempt from tariffs not expressly authorized by the agreement, including those imposed pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Applying such measures to USMCA-compliant trade undermines the agreement’s negotiated balance, erodes its credibility, and weakens the very supply chains USMCA was designed to strengthen.

Restoring and maintaining duty-free treatment for all USMCA-compliant goods would reinforce sourcing and investment within North America, reward adherence to high-standard trade rules, and support the agreement’s built-in mechanisms for ongoing cooperation and improvement. Canada and Mexico have demonstrated a willingness to align with U.S. efforts to address non-market policies and practices of third countries, including through coordinated approaches on products subject to Section 232 measures, such as steel and aluminum. Preserving tariff-free treatment within USMCA is therefore not only economically sound, but strategically essential to building a cohesive North American response to global trade distortions.

Conclusion

Ultimately, USMCA remains a critical driver of success for the U.S. business community. The trilateral agreement enables American businesses to compete more effectively against non-market economies while securing supply chains for critical industries. To preserve these advantages, the United States should confirm its intent to extend USMCA this year and fully restore preferential trade among the parties.

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Amidst New Round of Scrutiny, Are Tariffs Working for U.S. Manufacturing?

On Feb. 20, the Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed sweeping tariffs on imports from nearly every U.S. trading partner. 

Early last year, Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to set tariffs on imported goods from more than 100 countries. Although the statute does not mention the word “tariffs,” Trump claimed that it allowed him to unilaterally impose the duties without congressional approval.

Under the act, the president has the authority to take certain steps in response to a national emergency to “deal with any unusual and extraordinary threat” to “the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.” That includes the power to “regulate” the “importation” of foreign property. Past presidents have relied on that language to place sanctions or embargoes on other countries, but not to impose taxes. The Trump administration argued that phrase also gives the president the power to levy tariffs.

The Supreme Court disagreed. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said that statute does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. “The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it,” the chief justice wrote.

Not one to be deterred, Trump immediately invoked a new law—the Trade Act of 1974—to impose a flat 10 percent tariff on imports. That went into effect Feb. 24, but it expires in July unless Congress extends it. The administration is also investigating the applicability of other laws that target unfair trading practices and national security threats.

Under the new tariff regime, some countries, such as Colombia, Argentina, Australia and the U.K., will see higher tariffs. Some countries, including China, India, Thailand, Brazil, South Africa, Canada and Mexico, will see a lower rate. And other countries, including Japan, South Korea, and the Europe Union, won’t see any change in tariffs.

Although the new tariffs are lower than what Trump had initially imposed, consumers are unlikely to see any benefit. Many companies will be reluctant to lower prices once consumers have gotten used to them.

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The Supreme Court decision left uncertain the extent to which those who paid tariffs might be able to obtain refunds. On Feb. 23, FedEx filed suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade to demand a refund of the tariffs. FedEx is likely to be joined by many other large corporations demanding refunds. Dozens of companies filed lawsuits against the tariffs before the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Litigation aside, there’s little evidence that Trump’s tariffs are working, regardless of their legal underpinnings. In imposing tariffs, Trump said his goal is to reduce the trade deficit and spur more manufacturing in the United States. One year into his second term, neither goal has been achieved. In fact, the opposite occurred.

From January 2025 to January 2026, the U.S. lost 83,000 manufacturing jobs, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What’s more, U.S. imports grew last year, and the trade deficit in goods hit a record high. The total trade deficit, including trade in both goods and services, shrank slightly in 2025, as growth in exports narrowly outpaced growth in imports. But that was entirely the result of an expanding trade surplus in services. The trade deficit in physical goods grew.

Overall imports of goods and services increased 4.7 percent, to $4.3 trillion, in 2025, while exports rose 6.2 percent, to $3.4 trillion. The trade deficit—the amount by which imports exceed exports—was $901 billion, down from $903 billion in 2024.

Tariffs did lead to shifts in the countries with which the United States trades. Imports of goods from China tumbled nearly 30 percent, to their lowest level since 2009. However, U.S. exports to China fell by nearly as much. The goods trade deficit with China shrank to $202 billion in 2025, the smallest in more than two decades, and for the first time, it was smaller than our deficit with the European Union.

But as Americans bought less from China, they bought more from the rest of the world. Our trade deficits with Vietnam, Mexico, India and other countries were the largest on record.

In short, Trump’s tariffs did not reduce U.S. imports, they merely rerouted them. And, U.S. consumers are stuck with higher prices.



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