Trade using truck transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners was on the rise in May of this year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).
Trucks carried 59 percent of Canadian imports and 78 percent of exports by value. The value of the imports carried by truck rose 10.3 percent in May 2005 from May 2004 while the value of exports rose 11.1 percent.
In Mexico, trucks carried 82 percent of imports and 80 percent of exports by value. The value of imports carried by truck rose 9.1 percent in May 2005 from May 2004 while the value of exports rose 5.2 percent.
Trade using all surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, rose 8.9 percent in May 2005 from May 2004 to a total of $57.9 billion, according BTS.
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.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), reported that total surface transportation trade fell 0.7 percent in May from April of this year. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
Total surface transportation trade value in May was up 19.3 percent compared to May 2002, when North American surface trade reached its low point of any May since 2000, and up 79.2 percent compared to May 1995, a period of 10 years.
Imports in May were up 91.5 percent compared to May 1995, while exports were up 65.6 percent.
All United States-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $37.9 billion in May, up 9.8 percent compared to May 2004. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in May with $6.0 billion.
All United States–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $20 billion in May, up 7.0 percent compared to May 2004. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in May with $6.5 billion.