The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in April 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $47.2 billion in March (revised) to $46.2 billion in April, as exports increased and imports decreased. The previously published March deficit was $49.0 billion. The goods deficit decreased $1.0 billion in April to $68.3 billion. The services surplus decreased less than $0.1 billion in April to $22.1 billion.

Exports

Exports of goods and services increased $0.6 billion, or 0.3 percent, in April to $211.2 billion. Exports of goods increased $0.3 billion and exports of services increased $0.3 billion.

• The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($1.3 billion) and in foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.7 billion). A decrease in capital goods ($1.4 billion) partly offset the increases.
• The increase in exports of services mostly reflected increases in other business services ($0.1 billion), which includes research and development services; professional and management services; and technical, trade-related, and other services, in financial services ($0.1 billion), and in charges for the use of intellectual property ($0.1 billion).

Imports

Imports of goods and services decreased $0.4 billion, or 0.2 percent, in April to $257.4 billion. Imports of goods decreased $0.7 billion and imports of services increased $0.3 billion.

• The decrease in imports of goods mostly reflected decreases in consumer goods ($2.8 billion) and in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.9 billion). Increases in other goods ($1.3 billion) and in industrial supplies and materials ($1.2 billion) partly offset the decreases.
• The increase in imports of services mostly reflected increases in transport ($0.1 billion), in other business services ($0.1 billion), and in charges for the use of intellectual property ($0.1 billion).

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