Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 4.9 percent higher in 2007 than in 2006, reaching an annual record of $797 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the Department of Transportation.
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.
The 4.9 percent rate of growth from 2006 to 2007 is lower than the 8.9 percent growth from 2005 to 2006. BTS reported that freight valued at $137.0 billion entered the US from Mexico by truck in 2007 while $93.0 billion of freight was exported to Mexico by truck.
Freight valued at $150.4 billion entered the US from Canada by truck in 2007 while $174.3 billion of freight was exported to Canada by truck.
Total North American surface transportation imports rose 4.2 percent in 2007 from 2006, and exports rose 5.8 percent during the same time period.
Total North American surface transportation trade value in 2007 was up 47.4 percent compared to 2002, and up 87.2 percent compared to 1997, a period of 10 years.
US-Canada trade
US–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $511 billion in 2007, up 4.6 percent compared to 2006. The value of imports carried by truck was 0.4 percent higher in 2007 than 2006 while the value of exports carried by truck was 6.1 percent higher. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in 2007 with $77 billion.
US-Mexico trade
US – Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $286 billion in 2007, up 5.3 percent compared to 2006. The value of imports carried by truck was 8.4 percent higher in 2007 than 2006 while the value of exports carried by truck was 0.1 percent higher. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in 2007 with $87.8 billion.