The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in November 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $55.7 billion in October (revised) to $49.3 billion in November, as imports decreased more than exports. The previously published October deficit was $55.5 billion. The goods deficit decreased $6.7 billion in November to $71.6 billion. The services surplus decreased $0.3 billion in November to $22.3 billion.
Exports
Exports of goods and services decreased $1.3 billion, or 0.6 percent, in November to $209.9 billion. Exports of goods decreased $1.2 billion and exports of services decreased $0.1 billion.
• The decrease in exports of goods mostly reflected decreases in industrial supplies and materials ($1.4 billion) and in consumer goods ($0.9 billion). An increase in capital goods ($1.4 billion) partly offset the decreases.
• The decrease in exports of services mostly reflected a decrease in financial services ($0.1 billion).
Imports
Imports of goods and services decreased $7.7 billion, or 2.9 percent, in November to $259.2 billion. Imports of goods decreased $7.9 billion and imports of services increased $0.2 billion.
• The decrease in imports of goods mostly reflected decreases in consumer goods ($4.3 billion) and in industrial supplies and materials ($3.4 billion).
• The increase in imports of services mostly reflected an increase in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.3 billion). A decrease in insurance services ($0.1 billion) partly offset the increase.
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