Surface Trade Between NAFTA Partners Continues Climb

(Canadian Transportation and Logistics)

Trade using surface transportation between Canada and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners the United States and Mexico was 6.6% higher in June 2008 than in June 2007, reaching $74.1 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the US Department of Transportation.

The value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 0.015% in June from May. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors, BTS officials said. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88% of US trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

The value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico this June was up 56.3% compared to June 2003, and up 97.3% compared to June 1998, a period of 10 years. Imports in June 2008 were up 106.4% compared to June 1998, while exports were up 86.8%. Canada-US surface transportation trade totalled $48.9 billion in June, up 8.7% compared to June 2007.

The value of imports carried by truck was 1.4% lower in June 2008 than June 2007, while the value of exports carried by truck was 8.2% higher. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in June with $6.5 billion.