October 3, 2019

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in August 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $54.0 billion in July (revised) to $54.9 billion in August, as imports increased more than exports. The previously published July deficit was $54.0 billion. The goods deficit increased $0.8 billion in August to $74.4 billion. The services surplus decreased less than $0.1 billion in August to $19.5 billion.

Goods and Services Oct4


Exports

Exports of goods and services increased $0.5 billion, or 0.2 percent, in August to $207.9 billion.  Exports of goods increased $0.4 billion and exports of services increased $0.1 billion.

  • The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($1.5 billion) and in foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.5 billion). A decrease in capital goods ($1.4 billion)  partly offset the increases.
  • The increase in exports of services mostly reflected increases in financial services ($0.1 billion) and in other business services ($0.1 billion). A decrease in transport ($0.1 billion) partly offset the increases.

Imports

Imports of goods and services increased $1.3 billion, or 0.5 percent, in August to $262.8 billion.  Imports of goods increased $1.2 billion and imports of services increased $0.1 billion.  

  • The increase in imports of goods mostly reflected increases in consumer goods ($1.9 billion) and in capital goods ($1.9 billion). A decrease in industrial supplies and materials ($1.5 billion) partly offset the increases.
  • The increase in imports of services mostly reflected an increase in insurance services ($0.1 billion).

For more information, read the full report