Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 16.9 percent higher in January 2006 than in January 2005, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The trade rose to $61.2 billion in January, DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail, and pipeline. About 90 percent of US trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.
The increase from January 2005 was the largest rise from the same month in the previous year since a 19.0 percent increase in August 2004 from August 2003.
Total North American surface transportation trade rose 3.5 percent in January from December. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
Total North American surface transportation trade value in January was up 32.1 percent compared to January 2001, and up 98.3 percent compared to January 1996, a period of 10 years. Imports in January were up 112.5 percent compared to January 1996, while exports were up 81.1 percent.
Trade with CanadaUnited States–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $40.0 billion in January, up 16.2 percent compared to January 2005. The value of imports carried by truck was 9.6 percent higher in January 2006 than January 2005 while the value of exports carried by truck was 14.1 percent higher.
Trade with MexicoUnited States–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $21.2 billion in January, up 18.3 percent compared to January 2005. The value of imports carried by truck was 13.2 percent higher in January 2006 than January 2005 while the value of exports carried by truck was 17.3 percent higher.