NAFTA Surface Trade Rises 18.8% in July

Surface transportation trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico rose 18.8% in July from a year earlier, the Department of Transportation said Thursday.

Trade among the North American Free Trade Agreement partners increased to $61.3 billion year-over-year, DOT’s Bureau of Trade Statistics said in its monthly report.

Freight trade value declined 12.3% from June and was 14.5% below the level of July 2008, DOT said.

U.S.-Canada trade improved 17.1% to $36.3 billion and the value of truck imports to the U.S. rose 12.6%, while truck exports gained 20.8%.

U.S.-Mexico trade rose 21.5% to $24.9 billion, with the value of truck imports 22.4% higher than a year ago. U.S. truck exports rose 22.8%.

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