Biggest NAFTA surface trade drop in history reported

WASHINGTON — Surface transportation trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico was 27.2 percent lower in January 2009 than in January 2008 — the biggest year-to-year percentage decline on record.

According to the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the $47.5 billion in U.S.-NAFTA trade in January 2009 was the lowest monthly amount since January 2004.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade in particular was down 31.1 percent compared to January 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 27.2 percent lower as well.