After doing a bit of a rummage around at the U.S. Geological Survey, I've found that there are no salt deposits in the Kentucky-Tennessee region (bounded by the Ohio river to the north and west, the Tennessee river to the south and west and the Appalachians to the east as per Bullets and Bluegrass).
Salt and seafood from Texas to the KFS looks like a good idea.
There are zinc, cadmium and phosphate deposits in the KFS which Texas lacks.
Given the potential strategic importance of phosphate it may not be available for export, though.
Another agricultural option in either direction might be tea - ISTR tea plantations in the Carolinas, so climate should be OK. Coffee from Mexico and the Caribbean. Sugar from Cuba and Mexico.
Out of left field - pearls are cultured along the Mississippi and in Texas. Maybe the pearl trade is running after a fashion.
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