In The News

NAFTA losing streak continues in July, down 28%

WASHINGTON — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico was 28 percent lower in July 2009 than in July 2008, dropping to $51.5 billion in the seventh consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27 percent, 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 1.6 percent in July from June. 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 July was up 7.2 percent compared to July 2004, and up 38.1 percent compared to July 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in July were up 30.1 percent compared to July 1999, while exports were up 48.6 percent.

 U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $31.0 billion in July, down 33.8 percent compared to July 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 29.0 percent lower in July 2009 compared to July 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 24.3 percent lower during this period.

Illinois led all states in surface trade with Canada in July with $3.1 billion.

U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $20.5 billion in July, down 17.1 percent compared to July 2008.  The value of imports carried by truck was 13.7 percent lower in July 2009 than July 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 14.7 percent lower.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in July with $7.3 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. July TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of Sept. 10.

BTS will release August TransBorder numbers on Oct. 29.

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

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