Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 10 percent higher in 2005 than in 2004, the second consecutive year of growth of at least 10 percent,
according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), reported that total North American surface transportation reached $698 billion. Imports rose 10 percent from 2004 to $401 billion and exports rose 10 percent to $297 billion.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 90 percent of U.S. merchandise trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.
Total North American surface transportation trade value in 2005 was up 29 percent compared to 2002 – the low point for the last six years – and up 89 percent compared to 1995, a period of 10 years.
U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $458 billion in 2005, up 12 percent compared to 2004. The value of imports carried by truck was 8 percent higher in 2005 than 2004 while the value of exports carried by truck was 11 percent higher.
Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in 2005 with $72 billion.
U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $240 billion in 2005, up 7 percent compared to 2004. The value of imports carried by truck was 7 percent higher in 2005 than 2004 while the value of exports carried by truck was 5 percent higher.