The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in October 2017 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $44.9 billion in September (revised) to $48.7 billion in October, as exports decreased and imports increased. The previously published September deficit was $43.5 billion. The goods deficit increased $3.8 billion in October to $69.1 billion. The services surplus decreased less than $0.1 billion in October to $20.3 billion.
Exports
Exports of goods and services decreased less than $0.1 billion, or less than 0.1 percent, in October to $195.9 billion. Exports of goods decreased $0.3 billion and exports of services increased $0.3 billion.
- The decrease in exports of goods mostly reflected decreases in foods, feeds, and beverages ($1.3 billion) and in capital goods ($1.2 billion). An increase in industrial supplies and materials ($2.6 billion) partly offset the decreases.
- The increase in exports of services mostly reflected increases in financial services ($0.1 billion) and in other business services ($0.1 billion), which includes research and development services; professional and management services; and technical, trade‐related, and other services.
Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $3.8 billion, or 1.6 percent, in October to $244.6 billion.
- Imports of goods increased $3.5 billion and imports of services increased $0.3 billion. The increase in imports of goods mostly reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($1.8 billion), in other goods ($1.1 billion), and in consumer goods ($0.8 billion).
- The increase in imports of services mostly reflected an increase in transport ($0.3 billion).
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