WASHINGTON, D.C. — Surface transportation trade between Canada, the US, and Mexico increased by 24.3% in 2010 compared to 2009, reaching $791 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the US Department of Transportation. The 24.3% increase in trade was the largest year-to-year increase for the years covered by these data. The North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect in 1994.

BTS reported that despite the increase from 2009 to 2010, the value of North American surface trade in 2010 remained below the levels of 2007 and 2008. Total North American surface transportation imports increased by 25.1% in 2010 from 2009, and exports increased by 23.3% during the same period.

In 2010, 86.2% of US merchandise trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land. Total North American surface transportation trade value in 2010 increased by 13.4% compared to 2005, and was up by 37.5% compared to 2000.

US-Canada surface transportation trade totalled $471 billion in 2010, an increase of 22.1% compared to 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 17.3% higher in 2010 than 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 21.8% higher.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in 2010 with $60.7 billion.