U.S. surface trade with Canada, Mexico sets record high in September

U.S. surface trade with Canada, Mexico sets record high in September    Trade using surface transportation between the United States and North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico in September, reached a record high of $61.2 billion, up 11.4 percent from September 2004.
   The previous monthly high was $60.2 billion in August, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
   U.S./Canada surface transportation trade reached a new monthly high of $40.4 billion in September, up 14.1 percent from September 2004. Trucks carried 53 percent of imports and 79 percent of exports by value. Michigan led all U.S. states in surface trade with Canada in September with $6.6 billion.
   U.S./Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $20.8 billion in September, up 6.5 percent. Trucks carried 82 percent of imports and 80 percent of exports by value. Texas led all U.S. states in surface trade with Mexico in September with $6.8 billion.
   Looking over the past decade, BTS said North American surface transportation trade value in September was up 93.4 percent from September 1995. Imports increased 107.4 percent compared to September 1995, while exports were up 77 percent.
   BTS noted that surface transportation largely comprises freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 90 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.