Strong automotives shipments to the United States helped Canada’s trade surplus in goods jump by over $600 million to $5.7 billion in February, Statistics Canada said today.

Canadian exporters sent $34.1 billion in goods around the globe in February, up 7% from January, which was the lowest level in almost five years.

Imports reached $28.4 billion — a gain of 6.1% from the January — on higher imports of machinery and equipment.

“A $350 million surge in truck exports, combined with modest gains in cars and motor vehicle parts led the export growth in February,” StatsCan said.

“Automotive reports indicated strong sales for certain vehicles, in contrast to the lackluster performance of the industry over the last few months,” the agency said.

“After falling flat on their face in January, Canadian exporters capably dusted themselves off in February, as merchandise exports roared back with a vengeance. Marking the strongest monthly performance in the better part of a decade,” comments CIBC World Markets.

That said, CIBC notes, “The stronger-than-expected tone to today’s report did little to stem the negative sentiment in the bond market that took hold following yesterday’s switch to a neutral monetary stance by the Bank of Canada.”

South of the border, a broad-based increase in exports helped trim the U.S. trade deficit to $42.09 billion in February the Commerce Department said.

“Today’s export rebound and the rip-roaring U.S. CPI will simply reinforce the upward pressure on Canadian yields,” BMO Nesbitt Burns says. “With the C$ softening and U.S. growth on a tear, Canadian exports are likely to gather strength as the year progresses.”