WASHINGTON, (Dec. 10, 2004) — The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics said this week that U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico has grown more than 80 per cent since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement a decade ago.

According to the Department of Transportation’s record-keeping arm, surface transportation consists of freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline and other modes of surface transportation. About 90 per cent of U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico involves surface transportation, with trucks carrying the lion’s share of that commerce.

Total surface transportation trade value was up 81 per cent from September 1994 and 29 per cent from September 2001. Exports increased 57 per cent compared to September 1994 while imports over that same time rose 104 per cent.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade rose 12.5 per cent in September from September 2003 to $35 billion. Exports by truck, the largest amount by value, increased 12 per cent from September 2003, while imports by truck rose 8 per cent. Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in September with $6.0 billion.

— from Truckininfo.com