The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in March 2017 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $43.8 billion in February (revised) to $43.7 billion in March, as imports decreased more than exports. The previously published February deficit was $43.6 billion. The goods deficit increased $0.4 billion in March to $65.5 billion. The services surplus increased $0.4 billion in March to $21.8 billion.
Exports
Exports of goods and services decreased $1.7 billion, or 0.9 percent, in March to $191.0 billion. Exports of goods decreased $2.1 billion and exports of services increased $0.4 billion.
- The decrease in exports of goods mainly reflected decreases in industrial supplies and materials ($1.8 billion) and in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines($0.9 billion). An increase in capital goods ($0.7 billion) partly offset the decreases.
- The increase in exports of services mainly reflected increases in financial services($0.1 billion) and in maintenance and repair services($0.1 billion).
Imports
Imports of goods and services decreased $1.7 billion, or 0.7 percent, in March to $234.7 billion. Imports of goods decreased $1.7 billion and imports of services decreased less than $0.1 billion.
- The decrease in imports of goods mostly reflected decreases in capital goods ($0.9 billion) and in industrial supplies and materials($0.7 billion). An increase in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines($1.1 billion) partly offset the decreases.
- The decrease in imports of services mainly reflected a decrease in transport($0.1 billion), which includes freight and port services and passenger fares.
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