In The News

February NAFTA trade down a record 31 percent

WASHINGTON — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 30.9 percent lower in February 2009 than in February 2008, dropping to $47.9 billion. The result was the biggest year-to-year percentage decline on record, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

February was the fourth consecutive month with a yearly decline of greater than 13 percent.

During the first two months of 2009, the value of surface trade dropped 29.1 percent compared to the first two months of 2008.

Imports carried by truck were down 29.3 percent compared to the year before, while exports carrier by truck were down 23.6 percent.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 1 percent in February 2009 from January 2009.  Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors, BTS noted.

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 February was down 0.5 percent compared to February 2004, a period of five years, and up 24.3 percent compared to February 1999, a period of 10 years.  Imports in February were up 19.5 percent compared to February 1999, while exports were up 30.3 percent.

U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $29.8 billion in February, down 33.8 percent compared to February 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 32.0 percent lower in February 2009 compared to February 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 28.1 percent lower during this period.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in February with $3.1 billion.

U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $18.1 billion in February, down 25.7 percent compared to February 2008.  The value of imports carried by truck was 26.4 percent lower in February 2009 than February 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 15.4 percent lower.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in February with $6.1 billion.  

The TransBorder Freight Data are a unique subset of official U.S. foreign trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. February TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of April 9.

BTS will release March TransBorder numbers on May 28.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected] .