Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 10 percent higher in 2005 than in 2004, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the Department of Transportation.
This was the second consecutive year of growth of at least 10 percent.
BTS reported that total North American surface transportation reached $698 billion. Imports rose 10 percent from 2004 to $401 billion and exports rose 10 percent to $297 billion.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail, and pipeline. About 90 percent of US merchandise trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.
Total North American surface transportation trade value in 2005 was up 29 percent compared to 2002, the low point for the last six years, and up 89 percent compared to 1995, a period of 10 years.
US Trade with Canada
United States–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $458 billion in 2005, up 12 percent compared to 2004. The value of imports carried by truck was 8 percent higher in 2005 than 2004 while the value of exports carried by truck was 11 percent higher.
US Trade with Mexico
United States–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $240 billion in 2005, up 7 percent compared to 2004. The value of imports carried by truck was 7 percent higher in 2005 than 2004 while the value of exports carried by truck was 5 percent higher.