Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 24.1 percent higher in February 2010 than in February 2009, reaching $59.5 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the US Department of Transportation. The 24.1 percent increase is the largest year-over-year rise on record but freight value still remained 14.3 percent less than the value in February 2008.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 4.9 percent in February 2010 from January 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In February, 87.6 percent of US trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
The value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in February was up 11.0 percent compared to February 2005, and up 29.6 percent compared to February 2000. Imports in February were up 28.3 percent compared to February 2000, while exports were up 31.2 percent.
US-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $36.3 billion in February, up 21.7 percent compared to February 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 6.4 percent higher in February 2010 compared to February 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 23.5 percent higher during this period.
Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in February with $5.2 billion.
US-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $23.2 billion in February, up 28.0 percent compared to February 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 27.6 percent higher in February 2010 than February 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 18.3 percent higher.
Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in February with $8.1 billion.