The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in September 2016 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $40.5 billion in August (revised) to $36.4 billion in September, as exports increased and imports decreased. The previously published August deficit was $40.7 billion. The goods deficit decreased $2.6 billion in September to $57.5 billion. The services surplus increased $1.4 billion in September to $21.1 billion.
Exports
Exports of goods and services increased $1.0 billion, or 0.6 percent, in September to $189.2 billion. Exports of goods increased $0.6 billion and exports of services increased $0.4 billion.
- The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in capital goods ($1.6 billion) and in consumer goods ($0.7 billion). A decrease in foods, feeds, and beverages ($1.7 billion) was partly offsetting.
- The increase in exports of services reflected an increase in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.4 billion).
Imports
Imports of goods and services decreased $3.0 billion, or 1.3 percent, in September to $225.6 billion. Imports of goods decreased $2.0 billion and imports of services decreased $1.0 billion.
- The decrease in imports of goods mostly reflected decreases in capital goods ($1.7 billion) and in consumer goods ($0.8 billion). An increase in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.2 billion) was partly offsetting.
- The decrease in imports of services reflected a decrease in charges for the use of intellectual property ($1.2 billion), which in August included payments for the rights to broadcast the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
For more detailed information on trade by type of good or service and with major trading partners, see U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: September 2016.
For more information, read the full report.