Transportation Press Releases

BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for August: August Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 4.2 Percent from August 2006—10/31/2007

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 4.2 percent higher in August 2007 than in August 2006, reaching $69.2 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 (RITA), reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 11.9 percent in August from July. 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 90 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 August was up 48.0 percent compared to August 2002, and up 96.2 percent compared to August 1997, a period of 10 years. Imports in August were up 109.4 percent compared to August 1997, while exports were up 81.1 percent.

U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $43.1 billion in August, up 2.0 percent compared to August 2006. The value of imports carried by truck was 3.7 percent lower in August 2007 than August 2006, while the value of exports carried by truck was 3.8 percent higher.  Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in August with $6.5 billion.

U.S. – Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $26.1 billion in August, up 8.1 percent compared to August 2006. The value of imports carried by truck was 8.9 percent higher in August 2007 than August 2006 while the value of exports carried by truck was 2.5 percent higher.  Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in August with $8.0 billion.

The TransBorder Freight Data are a unique subset of official U.S. foreign trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. New data are tabulated monthly and historical data are not adjusted for inflation. August TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of Oct. 11.

Department of Transportation. "BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for August: August Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 4.2 Percent from August 2006." [http://www.dot.gov/affairs/bts5007.htm]. 10/31/2007.