NAFTA Trade Jumped 11.8 Percent in February

Surface transportation trade between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico was 11.8 percent higher in value in February than a year earlier, the Transportation Department reported.

The value of cross-border trade with the United States’ partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement totaled $66.5 billion. Trade with Canada rose 10.1 percent to $40 billion. Shipments to and from Mexico rose 14.5 percent to $26.6 billion.

The total value of cross-border trade was up 38.8 percent from $47.9 million in February 2009, which was the lowest level of any month since February 2004. Trade value in February 2011 was down 4.1 percent from the early recession level of February 2008, unadjusted for inflation.

By The Numbers:

U.S. Surface Trade With Canada
U.S. Surface Trade With Mexico

Freight value in February fell 1.8 percent from January. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

In February, 86.4 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land, 9.3 percent moved by vessel, and 4.3 percent moved by air.

-- Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @JosephBonney.