Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 14.3 percent higher in April 2008 than in April 2007, reaching $74.3 billion, the highest monthly level ever recorded,
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, reported that the value of North American surface trade in April topped the previous monthly high of $74.2 billion in October 2007 by 0.1 percent.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 5 percent in April from March. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in April was up 58.7 percent compared to April 2003, and up 91.8 percent compared to April 1998, a period of 10 years. Imports in April were up 106 percent compared to April 1998, while exports were up 75.8 percent.