NAFTA trade falls 25 percent in August

U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $32.9 billion in August, down 29.6 percent compared to August 2008. U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $21.3 billion, down 16.2 percent.

The Associated Press

10/29/2009

WASHINGTON — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 24.9 percent lower in August 2009 than in August 2008, dropping to $54.3 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 5.3 percent in August from July.  Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors, BTS notes.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline.  About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in August was up 1.3 percent compared to August 2004, and up 26 percent compared to August 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in August were up 18.8 percent compared to August 1999, while exports were up 35.5 percent.

U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $32.9 billion in August, down 29.6 percent compared to August 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 26.1 percent lower in August 2009 compared to August 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 17.0 percent lower during this period.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in August with $3.8 billion.

U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Mexico.

U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $21.3 billion in August, down 16.2 percent compared to August 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 13.5 percent lower in August 2009 than August 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 14.7 percent lower.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in August with $7.4 billion.

The TransBorder Freight Data are a unique subset of official U.S. foreign trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. New data are tabulated monthly and historical data are not adjusted for inflation. August TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of Oct. 9.

BTS will release September TransBorder numbers on Dec. 1.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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