Nafta Surface Trade Rose 10.2% Last Year, DOT Reports

urface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico was 10.2% higher in 2005 than 2004, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

It was the second straight year of double-digit growth. In 2004, the level rose 12.6%, while in 2003 it gained 4.1% from the previous year.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 90% of U.S. trade by value with North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico moves by land.

Imports by rail rose 4.2% to $81.4 billion, while exports gained 16% to $35.1 billion.

Pipeline imports jumped 32.4% to $48.8 billion, while exports rose 75.7% to $2.9 billion, DOT said.