NAFTA surface trade jumped 6.2 percent in November

Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico totaled $81.5 billion in November 2012 — a 6.2 percent jump year over year from November 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

That’s about $59.5 billion in 2004 dollars, when adjusted for inflation — a 7.6 percent increase from 2011. 

Of the $81.5 billion of U.S. surface transportation trade with the two countries, $56.2 billion was moved by truck, and the rest was split between rail and pipeline. Moreover, surface transportation trade between the U.S. and the NAFTA partners accounted for 21 percent of total U.S. foreign trade in November 2012. 

U.S.-Canada surface trade was $46.7 billion in current dollars in November 2012, while U.S.-Mexico surface trade was $34.8 billion. 

The top commodities between Canada and the U.S. were vehicles and parts, and Michigan led all states with $6.6 billion in surface transportation trade. The top commodity between the U.S. and Mexico was electrical machinery, and Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico with $12.4 billion in goods moved.