Houston remains the number one city in the U.S. for shipping and trading, with about $175 billion in trade happening in the area. The city added around 70,000 jobs in the last 12 months, although this is lower than the previous year [52ce2336]. Houston's biggest trade partners are China and Mexico, and the top five trading partners are China, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Brazil [52ce2336]. Major exports from Houston include crude and refined products, steel, industrial equipment, electrical equipment, plastics, chemicals, and agricultural products [52ce2336]. Houston also attracts direct foreign investment, particularly in alternative energy and life sciences [52ce2336]. The city has about 1.7 million foreign-born citizens, contributing significantly to the GDP [52ce2336]. However, Houston's infrastructure, particularly roads and freeways, needs investment [52ce2336]. The port and companies based in the area are strengths for Houston's trade, but infrastructure remains a weakness [52ce2336].
In addition to its trade and job growth, Houston has been ranked No. 10 in the annual 'America's Best Cities' report by Resonance Consultancy. The report ranks the relative qualities of place, cultural diversity, and economic prosperity for America's principal cities with metropolitan populations of 500,000 or more. New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles claimed the top three spots. Houston is praised for its prosperity, lovability, and livability. The report highlights that these top 100 cities are the engines of their regional and national economies and the global economy [bf73532f].