The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in December 2015 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $42.2 billion in November (revised) to $43.4 billion in December, as exports decreased and imports increased. The previously published November deficit was $42.4 billion. The goods deficit increased $1.3 billion from November to $62.5 billion in December. The services surplus increased $0.1 billion from November to $19.2 billion in December.
Exports
Exports of goods and services decreased $0.5 billion, or 0.3 percent, in December to $181.5 billion. Exports of goods decreased $0.8 billion and exports of services increased $0.3 billion.
- The decrease in exports of goods mainly reflected decreases in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.6 billion), in industrial supplies and materials ($0.4 billion), and in foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.4 billion).
- The increase in exports of services mainly reflected increases in financial services ($0.2 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 $0.6 billion, or 0.3 percent, in December to $224.9 billion. Imports of goods increased $0.5 billion and imports of services increased $0.1 billion.
- The increase in imports of goods mainly reflected increases in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.0 billion) and in industrial supplies and materials ($0.5 billion).
- The increase in imports of services mainly reflected increases in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.1 billion) and in other business services ($0.1 billion).
Goods by geographic area (seasonally adjusted, Census basis)
- The balance with members of OPEC shifted from a surplus of $1.1 billion in November to a deficit of $0.2 billion in December. Exports decreased $1.2 billion to $5.2 billion and imports increased $0.1 billion to $5.4 billion.
- The deficit with Germany increased from $5.5 billion in November to $6.4 billion in December. Exports decreased less than $0.1 billion to $4.1 billion and imports increased $0.8 billion to $10.5 billion.
- The deficit with France decreased from $2.1 billion in November to $1.4 billion in December. Exports increased $0.1 billion to $2.5 billion and imports decreased $0.6 billion to $3.9 billion.
For more information, read the full report.