Port Laredo - Global Tade Summit 2026, 07/13/2026

The City of Laredo held the Port Laredo Global Trade Summit on July 13, 2026, highlighting the city's role as North America's premier inland port and a critical trade gateway. Key procurement and infrastructure topics included the announcement of a $25 million federal BUILD grant awarded to support the expansion of the World Trade Bridge, part of a broader $260 million long-range bridge system investment program. This program aims to expand bridge capacity, modernize facilities, upgrade toll technology, and enhance multimodal logistics infrastructure to support growing trade demands. City officials emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and innovation to maintain Laredo's competitive advantage in international trade. Additionally, the Laredo International Airport highlighted its significant cargo operations and recent federal funding of $55 million for cargo ramp expansion, underscoring the multimodal nature of the region's logistics system. The summit featured over 600 attendees, 31 speakers, and multiple exhibitors, focusing on collaboration and future investment opportunities to sustain and grow the port's infrastructure and trade capabilities.