NAFTA Surface Trade Rises 14.9%

Surface transportation trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico rose 14.9% in October from a year earlier, the Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

Trade among the North American Free Trade Agreement partners rose to $70.6 billion, DOT’s Bureau of Trade Statistics said in its monthly report.

Freight trade value improved 3.3% from September, DOT said, noting that month-to-month changes are affected by seasonal factors.

U.S.-Canada trade rose 12.2% to $40.7 billion. The value of truck imports to the U.S. rose 11.6%, while truck exports gained 13.7%.

U.S.-Mexico trade improved 18.8% to $29.9 billion. Truck imports were 17.2% higher than a year ago and exports rose 13.8%.

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