Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico was 33.1 percent lower in April 2009 than in April 2008, dropping to $49.7 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation. April was the fourth consecutive month with a yearly decline of greater than 27 percent.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 2.6 percent in March 2009 from April 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 April was down 6.5 percent compared to April 2004, and up 22.0 percent compared to April 1999. Imports in April were up 19.5 percent compared to April 1999, while exports were up 24.9 percent.
U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $30.2 billion in April, down 38.2 percent compared to April 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 32.8 percent lower in April 2009 than April 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 31.2 percent lower. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in April with $3.3 billion.
U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $19.5 billion in April, down 23.4 percent compared to April 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 22.0 percent lower in April 2009 than April 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 18.0 percent lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in April with $6.6 billion.
The TransBorder Freight Data are a unique 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. 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.
