The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in August 2015 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $41.8 billion in July (revised) to $48.3 billion in August, as exports decreased and imports increased. The previously published July deficit was $41.9 billion. The goods deficit increased $6.6 billion from July to $67.9 billion in August. The services surplus increased $0.1 billion from July to $19.6 billion in August.
Exports
Exports of goods and services decreased $3.7 billion, or 2.0 percent, in August to $185.1 billion. Exports of goods decreased $4.1 billion and exports of services increased $0.4 billion.
- The decrease in exports of goods mainly reflected a decrease in industrial supplies and materials ($2.2 billion).
- The increase in exports of services mainly reflected increases in financial services ($0.1 billion) and in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.1 billion).
Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $2.8 billion, or 1.2 percent, in August to $233.4 billion. Imports of goods increased $2.5 billion and imports of services increased $0.3 billion.
- The increase in imports of goods mainly reflected an increase in consumer goods ($4.0 billion).
- The increase in imports of services mainly reflected increases in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.2 billion) and in transport ($0.1 billion), which includes freight and port services and passenger fares.
Goods by geographic area (seasonally adjusted, Census basis)
- The deficit with China increased from $28.8 billion in July to $32.9 billion in August. Exports decreased $0.6 billion to $9.8 billion and imports increased $3.6 billion to $42.8 billion.
- The deficit with the European Union increased from $12.4 billion in July to $14.5 billion in August. Exports decreased $0.7 billion to $21.7 billion and imports increased $1.4 billion to $36.2 billion.
- The deficit with Saudi Arabia decreased from $0.5 billion in July to less than $0.1 billion in August. Exports increased less than $0.1 billion to $1.8 billion and imports decreased $0.4 billion to $1.8 billion.
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