Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 8.3 percent higher in May 2012 than in May 2011, totaling $83.8 billion (unadjusted for inflation) according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Adjusted for inflation and exchange rates, the May 2012 total was $60.7 billion in 2004 dollars, up 11.7 percent from May 2011.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the May 2012 value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 13.0 percent from May 2008, six months into the recession, and 75.0 percent from May 2009, late in the recession.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May increased by 72.6 percent compared to May 2002, a period of 10 years. Imports in May were up 62.5 percent since May 2002, while exports were up 85.9 percent.
Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other modes of transport. In May, 86.5 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 9.6 percent moved by vessel, and 3.8 percent moved by air.
For more information, visit www.bts.gov.
