Surface trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico grew for the fifth consecutive month in October and showed improvement in the rate of decline from a year earlier.

Trade using surface transportation among the NAFTA countries amounted to $61.4 billion in October, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation. That was a gain of 7.2 percent from September to October, picking up the pace of steady growth since May.

Compared with last October, surface trade fell 15.5 percent, slowing the pace of year-over-year declines of more than 20 percent through the first nine months of 2009. The bottom of the slump was in May, when surface trade fell 35.4 percent compared with a year earlier to $47.9 billion.

About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves by truck, rail and pipeline.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $36.3 billion in October, down 19 percent compared to October 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 15.8 percent lower in October 2009 compared to October 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 9.5 percent lower during this period.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $25.1 billion in October, down 10 percent compared to October 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 4.2 percent lower in October 2009 than October 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 13.5 percent lower.

- Thomas L. Gallagher, The Journal of Commerce Online.

Surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 28% lower in July 2009 than in July 2008, dropping to $51.5 billion in the seventh consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27%, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

BTS reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico however rose 1.6% in July 2009 from June 2009. 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% 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 July was up 7.2% compared to July 2004, and up 38.1% compared to July 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in July were up 30.1% compared to July 1999, while exports were up 48.6%.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $31.0 billion in July, down 33.8% compared to July 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 29.0% lower in July 2009 compared to July 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 24.3% lower during this period. Illinois led all states in surface trade with Canada in July with $3.1 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $20.5 billion in July, down 17.1% compared to July 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 13.7% lower in July 2009 than July 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 14.7% lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in July with $7.3 billion.

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 31.5% lower in June 2009 than in June 2008, dropping to $50.8 billion in the sixth consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27%, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

BTS reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 6.0% in June 2009 from May 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in June was down 8.4% compared to June 2004, and up 17.6% compared to June 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in June were up 11.8% compared to June 1999, while exports were up 24.9%.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $31.0 billion in June, down 36.6% compared to June 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 34.8% lower in June 2009 compared to June 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 28.8% lower during this period. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in June with $2.9 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $19.7 billion in June, down 21.8% compared to June 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 18.0% lower in June 2009 than June 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 14.3% lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in June with $6.8 billion.

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 35.4% lower in May 2009 than in May 2008, the biggest decline from the same month of the previous year on record, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. About 88% of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of North American surface trade dropped to $47.9 billion in the fifth consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27%.  Imports from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. in May were down 38.1% from May 2008 while exports from the U.S. declined 32.0%.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 3.7% in May 2009 from April 2009.  Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May 2009 was down 9.9% compared to May 2004, and up 16.1% compared to May 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in May were up 12.0% compared to May 1999, while exports were up 21.2%.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $29.2 billion in May 2009, down 40.3% compared to May 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 35.7% lower in May 2009 compared to May 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 33.4% lower during this period.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in May 2009 with $2.8 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $18.6 billion in May 2009, down 26.0% compared to May 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 23.4% lower in May 2009 than May 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 21.1% lower.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in May 2009 with $6.2 billion.

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 33.1 percent lower in April 2009 than in April 2008, dropping to $49.7 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. April was the fourth consecutive month with a yearly decline of greater than 27 percent.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 2.6% in March 2009 from April 2009. 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% 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 down 6.5% compared to April 2004, and up 22.0% compared to April 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in April were up 19.5% compared to April 1999, while exports were up 24.9%.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $30.2 billion in April, down 38.2% compared to April 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 32.8% lower in April 2009 compared to April 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 31.2% lower during this period.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in April with $3.3 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $19.5 billion in April, down 23.4% compared to April 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 22.0% lower in April 2009 than April 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 18.0% lower.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in April with $6.6 billion.

Surface transportation trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 27.9% lower in March 2009 than in March 2008, dropping to $51.1 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. March was the third consecutive month with a yearly decline of greater than 27%.

BTS, reported that surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 6.5% in March 2009 from February 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in March was down 9.3% compared to March 2004, and up 17.4% compared to March 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in March were up 11.9% compared to March 1999, while exports were up 24.3%.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $31.0 billion in March, down 34.2% compared to March 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 26.8% lower in March 2009 compared to March 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 25.1% lower during this period. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in March with $3.2 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $20.0 billion in March, down 15.1% compared to March 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 15.5% lower in March 2009 than March 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 6.4% lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in March with $6.8 billion.

Surface transportation trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 30.9% lower in February 2009 than in February 2008, dropping to $47.9 billion, the biggest year-to-year percentage decline on record, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. February was the fourth consecutive month with a yearly decline of greater than 13%. During the first 2 months of 2009, the value of surface trade dropped 29.1% compared to the first 2 months of 2008.

BTS reported that surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 1.0% in February 2009 from January 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in February was down 0.5% compared to February 2004, a period of 5 years, and up 24.3% compared to February 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in February were up 19.5% compared to February 1999, while exports were up 30.3%.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $29.8 billion in February, down 33.8% compared to February 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 32.0% lower in February 2009 compared to February 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 28.1% lower during this period. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in February with $3.1 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $18.1 billion in February, down 25.7% compared to February 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 26.4% lower in February 2009 than February 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 15.4% lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in February with $6.1 billion.

On March 31, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that surface transportation between the United States and its NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico was 27.2% lower in January 2009 than in January 2008, dropping to $47.5 billion, the biggest year-to-year percentage decline on record. The $47.5 billion in U.S.-NAFTA trade in January 2009 was the lowest monthly amount since January 2004.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 10.3% in January from December. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. Approximately 88% of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $29.0 billion in January, down 31.1% compared to January 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 31.3% lower in January 2009 compared to January 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 27.2% lower.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $18.5 billion in January, down 20.0% compared to January 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 20.5% lower in January 2009 than January 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 10.7% lower.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in January 2009 was up 3.9% compared to January 2004, and up 31.6% compared to January 1999. Imports in January were up 26.4% compared to January 1999, while exports were up 38.1%.

A full copy of the report is available on the BTS Web site.

Surface transportation trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 4.1% higher in 2008 than in 2007, reaching $830 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The 4.1% rate of growth was the smallest year-to-year growth rate since 2003.

BTS reported that surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico grew 8.6% during the first six months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. It declined 0.3% in the final six months and 9.4% in the October-to-December period compared to 2007.

Total North American surface transportation imports rose 2.7% in 2008 from 2007, and exports rose by 5.9% during the same period.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $537 billion in 2008, up 5.1% compared to 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 6.0% lower in 2008 than 2007, while the value of exports carried by truck was 2.4% higher. According to BTS, freight valued at $141.3 billion entered the United States from Canada by truck in 2008; $178.5 billion of freight was exported to Canada by truck. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in 2008 with $67.0 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $293 billion in 2008, up 2.3% compared to 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 2.1% lower in 2008 than 2007 while the value of exports carried by truck was 7.8% higher. BTS reports that freight valued at $134.2 billion entered the United States from Mexico by truck in 2008, and $100.2 billion of freight was exported to Mexico by truck. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in 2008 with $94.1 billion.

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 13.1% lower in December 2008 than in December 2007, dropping to $52.9 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. December was the second straight month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 13%.

BTS reported the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 12.8% in December from November. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $32.9 billion in December, down 17.0% compared to December 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 15.4% lower in December 2008 compared to December 2007, while the value of exports carried by truck was 13.7% lower. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in December with $4.0 billion.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $20.0 billion in December, down 6.0% compared to December 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 11.8% lower in December 2008 than December 2007 while the value of exports carried by truck was 9.7% higher. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in December with $6.4 billion.

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