NAFTA Surface Trade Falls 13.8% in November

Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico fell 13.8% in November from a year earlier, the Department of Transportation said Thursday.

Trade among the North American Free Trade Agreement partners fell to $60.7 billion in the biggest drop in almost eight years, DOT’s Bureau of Trade Statistics said in its monthly report.

Truck imports to the United States plunged 22.1% year-over-year to $19.7 billion, while exports fell 10.1% to $21.3 billion.

Rail imports fell 17.6% to $6.7 billion, while exports fell 7.7% to $4 billion, DOT said.

Pipeline imports rose 9.7% to $5.1 billion, while exports increased 32.7%, to $343 million.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 90% of U.S. trade among NAFTA partners moves by land.