BTS reports November declines for U.S. transport with NAFTA trade partners

The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported this week that that U.S. trade with its North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico fell 8.4 percent to $88.2 billion in November 2015, with all modes of transportation having a lower freight value compared to the same period in 2014.

Truck commodities in November fell 0.4 percent while carrying 66.2 percent of U.S.-NAFTA freight and accounted for $30.0 billion, or 64.1 percent of the $46.8 billion in recorded imports and $28.3 billion, or 68.5 percent, of the $41.3 billion recorded exports for the month.

Rail commodities were again the second highest in value by mode, moving 15.1 percent of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, with vessel next at 5.4 percent, pipeline at 4.2 percent and air at 3.8 percent, with truck, rail, and pipeline handling 85.5 percent of total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.

The value of U.S.-Canada freight totaled $45.1 billion in November 2015, which was down 13.8 percent annually as all modes of transportation carried a lower value of U.S.-Canada freight annually. BTS said lower crude oil prices were a factor in the decrease, with crude oil moved by vessel and pipeline down 46.1 percent and 43.5 percent, respectively, annually.

The value of U.S.-Mexico freight came in at $43.0 billion in November, which was down 1.9 percent annually, with air and truck carrying more U.S.-Mexico freight value annually.