Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico was 15.5 percent lower in October 2009 than in October 2008, dropping to $61.4 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 7.2 percent in October 2009 from September 2009; month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in October was up 7.9 percent compared to October 2004, and up 34.7 percent compared to October 1999. Imports in October were up 31.9 percent compared to October 1999, while exports were up 38.1 percent.
U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $36.3 billion in October, down 19.0 percent compared to October 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 15.8 percent lower in October 2009 compared to October 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 9.5 percent lower. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in October with $4.8 billion.
U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $25.1 billion in October, down 10.0 percent compared to October 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 4.2 percent lower in October 2009 compared to October 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 13.5 percent lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in October with $8.6 billion.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land. The TransBorder Freight Data are a subset of official U.S. foreign trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. New data are tabulated monthly, and historical data are not adjusted for inflation.
