Surface transportation trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 27.2% lower in January 2009 than in January 2008.
The January data indicates trade dropped to $47.5 billion in the period, the biggest year-to-year percentage decline on record, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the US Department of Transportation.
The $47.5 billion in US-NAFTA trade in January 2009 was the lowest monthly amount since January 2004.
The value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 10.3% in January from December. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88% of US trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.
The value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in January was up 3.9% in the five-year period compared to January 2004, and up 31.6% over the 10-year period compared to January 1999. Imports in January were up 26.4% compared to January 1999, while exports were up 38.1%.
United States-Canada trade
United States–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $29.0 billion in January, down 31.1% compared to January 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 31.3% lower in January 2009 compared to January 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 27.2% lower. Illinois led all states in surface trade with Canada in January with $2.6 billion.
United States-Mexico trade
United States–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $18.5 billion in January, down 20.0% compared to January 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 20.5% lower in January 2009 than January 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 10.7% lower. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in January with $6.3 billion.