Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 13.5 percent higher in December 2005 than in December 2004, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).
The trade reached $59.1 billion in December 2005.
BTS reported that total North American surface transportation trade fell 6.0 percent in December from November.
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 December was up 54.5 percent compared to December 2001, and up 102.3 percent compared to December 1995, a period of 10 years. Imports in December were up 120.7 percent compared to December 1995, while exports were up 81.1 percent.
United States–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $39.2 billion in December, up 16.2 percent compared to December 2004. The value of imports carried by truck was 4.6 percent higher in December 2005 than December 2004 while the value of exports carried by truck was 8.8 percent higher.
Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in December with $6.2 billion.
United States-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $19.9 billion in December, up 8.5 percent compared to December 2004. The value of imports carried by truck was 6.1 percent higher in December 2005 than December 2004 while the value of exports carried by truck was 6.9 percent higher.
Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in December with $6.5 billion.