9 September 2009

Trade Growth Skips St. Lawrence Seaway

The following is excerpted from the 9 September 2009 edition of “The Journal of Commerce”.

Trade and economic activity for Canada and the United States may be picking up after months of decline but there is little sign of that yet on the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Cargo volume for the season through Aug. 31, reported Tuesday by the Canadian and U.S. Seaway administrations, fell 35 percent from the period a year ago, right around the rate of decline seen each month all spring and summer. …

In Canada, international merchandise trade figures to be released Thursday are expected by a consensus of economists surveyed to record a slim surplus, of about $92.6 million. This would follow monthly deficits that started last December after more than 30 years of consecutive monthly surpluses in goods trade. Trade figures for the United States also come out Thursday, and economists expect them to stay steady at a deficit of about $27 million.