RFID: Growth of a Trade‐Enhancing Technology

Despite being based on a mature technology, the RFID industry hasseen recent growth due to itsincreasing commercial applications, particularly in supply chain management. Exports of “smart cards,” which include RFID tags, have grown 26 percent during 2017‐2023. China is the leading global exporter ($1.9 billion). However, Mexico has a growing RFID industry and recently overtook China as the largest source of U.S. imports. This EBOT explains what RFID tags are, what their applications are in and outside of goods trade, and examines trends in both industry and trade.