Transportation news: BTS says surface trade with NAFTA partners up 39.5 percent in May

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was up 39.5 percent in May 2010 compared to May 2009, increasing to $66.8 billion, according to data released by the United States Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

Surface transportation, according to the BTS, is comprised mainly of freight movements by truck, trail, and pipeline, and nearly 90 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves by land.

The 39.5 percent increase was the largest percentage year-over-year increase in total U.S.-NAFTA trade by surface modes, according to the BTS, and May was the third month in the last four with a record percentage year-over-year increase.

BTS officials also noted that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in March was up 1.5 percent in May 2010 compared to April 2010. They added that in May 86.2 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.

BTS officials said the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May was up 15.4 percent compared to May 2005, and up 36.2 percent compared to May 2000. Imports in May were up 31.8 percent compared May 2000, while exports were up 41.8 percent, according to the BTS.

The BTS said the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada was up 37.5 percent year-over-year in May at $40.2 billion. Imports carried by truck were valued 32.0 percent higher in May 2010 compared to May 2009, said the BTS, and the value of exports carried by truck was up 34.5 percent. Michigan paced all states in
surface trade with Canada in May at $5.5 billion, matching April’s performance.

And the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Mexico was up 42.7 percent year over year in May at $26.6 billion. Imports carried by truck were valued 36.1 percent higher in May 2010 compared to May 2009, said the BTS, and the value of exports carried by truck was up 43.2 percent. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in May at $9.4 billion, which was slightly ahead of April.