International Trade & Investment

The U.S. current account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, narrowed by $0.1 billion, or 0.1 percent, to $104.2 billion in the first quarter of 2020. The narrowing mainly reflected a reduced deficit on goods that was largely offset by a reduced surplus on primary income and an expanded deficit on secondary income. The first quarter deficit was 1.9 percent of current dollar gross domestic product, up less than 0.1 percentage point from the fourth quarter.

UPDATE: Prototypes previewing the structure of the upcoming trade in services tables are now available on the international services webpage. The international transaction account data tables have all been published. (Updated June 29, 2020)

Big changes are coming to BEA’s international statistics this month: More data, faster data, and a new data table that will make it easier to analyze trade in services and goods between the United States and 90 trading partners.  

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in April 2020 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $42.3 billion in March (revised) to $49.4 billion in April, as exports decreased more than imports. The previously published March deficit goods deficit increased $5.8 billion in April to $71.8 billion. The services surplus decreased $1.3 billion in April to $22.4 billion.

In June, BEA will speed up and expand our statistics on U.S. international trade in services, including adding detail on some of the most dynamic services, such as research and development, intellectual property, and financial services.

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in March 2020 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $39.8 billion in February (revised) to $44.4 billion in March, as exports decreased more than imports. The previously published February deficit was $39.9 billion. The goods deficit increased $4.6 billion in March to $65.6 billion. The services surplus decreased $0.1 billion in March to $21.2 billion.

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in February 2020 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $45.5 billion in January (revised) to $39.9 billion in February, as imports decreased more than exports. The previously published January deficit was $45.3 billion. The goods deficit decreased $5.9 billion in February to $61.2 billion. The services surplus decreased $0.4 billion in February to $21.3 billion.

The U.S. net international investment position, the difference between U.S. residents’ foreign financial assets and liabilities, was –$10.99 trillion at the end of 2019, according to statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Assets totaled $29.32 trillion and liabilities were $40.31 trillion. At the end of 2018, the net investment position was –$9.55 trillion.

The U.S. net international investment position, the difference between U.S. residents’ foreign financial assets and liabilities, was –$10.99 trillion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019, according to statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Assets totaled $29.32 trillion and liabilities were $40.31 trillion. At the end of the third quarter, the net investment position was –$10.98 trillion.

The U.S. current account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, widened by $7.4 billion, or 1.5 percent, to $498.4 billion in 2019. The widening mainly reflected an expanded deficit on secondary income and a reduced surplus on services that were partly offset by a reduced deficit on goods. The 2019 deficit was 2.3 percent of current dollar gross domestic product, down from 2.4 percent in 2018.

The U.S. current account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, narrowed by $15.6 billion, or 12.4 percent, to $109.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019. The narrowing mainly reflected a reduced deficit on goods that was partly offset by an expanded deficit on secondary income. The fourth quarter deficit was 2.0 percent of current dollar gross domestic product, down from 2.3 percent in the third quarter.