Minnesota exports fell by 19 percent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. That’s a drop of about $1.3 billion in value.

Oil and mineral fuel exports to Canada were the reason for more than half of the decline. Those products mostly consist of refined products, such as motor fuel. Canada is Minnesota’s largest trading partner.

“Minnesota’s export statistics were particularly sensitive to changes in the oil market this quarter, but overall declines to our biggest export markets illustrate the risk of tariff uncertainty to our economy," said Matt Varilek, Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, in a statement Friday.

Total exports to Canada declined by nearly 50 percent compared to last year.

Exports to Mexico and China, Mi

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