The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in February 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $56.7 billion in January (revised) to $57.6 billion in February, as imports increased more than exports. The previously published January deficit was $56.6 billion. The goods deficit increased $0.3 billion in February to $77.0 billion. The services surplus decreased $0.6 billion in February to $19.4 billion.
Exports
Exports of goods and services increased $3.5 billion, or 1.7 percent, in February to $204.4 billion. Exports of goods increased $3.0 billion and exports of services increased $0.5 billion.
- The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($2.0 billion), in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.9 billion), and in capital goods ($0.7 billion). A decrease in consumer goods ($0.8 billion) partly offset the increases.
- The increase in exports of services mostly reflected increases in transport ($0.2), in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.1 billion), and in charges for the use of intellectual property ($0.1 billion).
Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $4.4 billion, or 1.7 percent, in February to $262.0 billion. Imports of goods increased $3.3 billion and imports of services increased $1.1 billion.
- The increase in imports of goods mostly reflected increases in capital goods ($1.8 billion), in industrial supplies and materials ($0.8 billion), and in foods, feeds, & beverages ($0.8 billion).
- The increase in imports of services mostly reflected an increase in charges for the use of intellectual property ($1.0 billion), which included payments for the rights to broadcast the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
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