The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in April 2016 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $35.5 billion in March (revised) to $37.4 billion in April, as imports increased more than exports. The previously published March deficit was $40.4 billion. The goods deficit increased $1.4 billion from March to $58.8 billion in April. The services surplus decreased $0.5 billion from March to $21.4 billion in April.
Exports
Exports of goods and services increased $2.6 billion, or 1.5 percent, in April to $182.8 billion. Exports of goods increased $2.9 billion and exports of services decreased $0.3 billion.
- The increase in exports of goods mainly reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($1.8 billion) and in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.8 billion).
- The decrease in exports of services mainly reflected decreases 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.
Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $4.5 billion, or 2.1 percent, in April to $220.2 billion. Imports of goods increased $4.3 billion and imports of services increased $0.3 billion.
- The increase in imports of goods mainly reflected increases in capital goods ($2.5 billion) and in industrial supplies and materials ($1.1 billion)
- The increase in imports of services mainly reflected an increase in transport ($0.2 billion).
Goods by geographic area (seasonally adjusted, Census basis)
- The deficit with France increased $0.7 billion to $1.7 billion in April. Exports decreased $0.3 billion to $2.5 billion and imports increased $0.4 billion to $4.2 billion.
- The surplus with Hong Kong decreased $0.6 billion to $1.6 billion in April. Exports decreased $0.4 billion to $2.2 billion and imports increased $0.2 billion to $0.7 billion.
- The surplus with Singapore increased $0.7 billion to $0.9 billion in April. Exports increased $0.5 billion to $2.4 billion and imports decreased $0.3 billion to $1.5 billion.
For more information, read the full report.