Trade using surface transportation between the US, Canada and Mexico was 12% higher in October 2011 than in October 2010, totaling $79.0 billion, 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 U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico, the U.S.’s North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, in October 2011 rose 28.7% in two years from October 2009, and 8.7% from October 2008.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in October increased by 18.2% when compared to October 2006, and also increased by 65.9% when compared to October 2001, a period of 10 years. Imports in October were up 57.8% since October 2001, while exports were up 76.4%. See Transborder Press Releases for historic data. Values in this press release are not adjusted for inflation.
Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other. In October, 86.1% of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 9.6% moved by vessel, and 4.3% moved by air.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico increased 1.7% in October 2011 from September 2011. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade both increased compared to October 2010 with U.S.-Canada reaching $46.4 billion, a 14.1% increase, and U.S.-Mexico reaching $32.6 billion, a 9.1% increase.
In October trade by state, Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada as it has in previous years, at $5.7 billion, an 8.3% increase from October 2010. Texas also continued to lead all states in surface trade with Mexico at $11.3 billion, a 3.8% increase from October 2010.