Tennessee's exports fell by more than $500 million for the third quarter compared to the same period last year, a 6.6 percent loss, according to the latest "Global Commerce" trade report from MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center.

"It was a disappointing showing, with the state ranked only 37th among all 50 in its export performance. This was despite another surge in medical-related shipments," said Global Commerce author Steven Livingston, BERC associate director and a professor of political science and international relations at MTSU.

"Most of the losses were close to home, with Canada and Mexico each reducing their Tennessee imports by $200 million. State exporters continue to face strong headwinds in the form of declining auto sales, low global growth, and the ongoing trade wars."

Livingston noted that Tennessee's export drop from the previous year was "substantially larger" than 1.7 percent drop experienced nationally.

To read the full report and more detailed summaries, go to https://mtsu.edu/globalcommerce/reports/profile/23.