Surface trade with Canada and Mexico continues to increase with the U.S. DOT reporting a 5.6 percent increase for March this year compared with March 2004, based on the value of the cargo.

Compared with March 2002, the increase is more than 30 percent, and compared with 1995 surface trade with Canada and Mexico is up 80 percent, according to a report from the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

About 90 percent of U.S. trade, by value, with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

By value, the U.S. traded a total of $59.4 billion in goods with its North American Free Trade Agreement partners in March this year.