Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico was 39.5 percent higher in May 2010 than in May 2009, reaching $66.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The 39.5 percent increase was the largest-percentage year-over-year increase in total U.S.-NAFTA trade by surface modes on record back to April 1994. May was the third month in the last four with a record percentage year-over-year increase.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May 2010 remained 9.9 percent below the May 2008 level despite the 2009-2010 increase. North American surface freight value rose 1.5 percent in May 2010 from April 2010; 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 May was up 15.4 percent compared to May 2005, and up 36.2 percent compared to May 2000. Imports in May were up 31.8 percent compared to May 2000, while exports were up 41.8 percent.
U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $40.2 billion in May, up 37.5 percent compared to May 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 32.0 percent higher in May 2010 compared to May 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 34.5 percent higher. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in May with $5.5 billion.
U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $26.6 billion in May, up 42.7 percent compared to May 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 36.1 percent higher in May 2010 compared to May 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 43.2 percent higher. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in May with $9.4 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. In May, 86.2 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
