The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in January 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $59.9 billion in December (revised) to $51.1 billion in January, as exports  increased and imports decreased. The previously published December deficit was $59.8 billion. The goods deficit decreased $8.2 billion in January to $73.3 billion. The services surplus increased $0.5 billion in January to $22.1 billion.

Exports
Exports of goods and services increased $1.9 billion, or 0.9 percent, in January to $207.3 billion.  Exports of goods increased $1.8 billion and exports of services increased $0.2 billion.  

• The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in foods, feeds, and beverages ($1.3 billion) and in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.2 billion). A decrease in capital goods ($0.8 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 ($0.1 billion), and in transport ($0.1 billion).

Imports
Imports of goods and services decreased $6.8 billion, or 2.6 percent, in January to $258.5 billion.  Imports of goods decreased $6.5 billion and imports of services decreased $0.3 billion.

• The decrease in imports of goods mostly reflected decreases in capital goods ($3.0 billion) and in industrial supplies and materials ($2.3 billion).
• The decrease in imports of services mostly reflected decreases in transport ($0.2 billion) and in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.2 billion). An increase in other business services ($0.1 billion) partly offset the decreases.

For more information, read the full report.