April 17, 2019

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in February 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $51.1 billion in January (revised) to $49.4 billion in February, as exports increased more than imports. The previously published January deficit was $51.1 billion. The goods deficit decreased $1.2 billion in February to $72.0 billion. The services surplus increased $0.5 billion in February to $22.6 billion.

Monthly Goods and Services Trade Deficit April17

Exports
Exports of goods and services increased $2.3 billion, or 1.1 percent, in February to $209.7 billion. Exports of goods increased $2.1 billion and exports of services increased $0.2 billion.
•     The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in capital goods ($2.1 billion) and in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.6 billion). A decrease in industrial supplies and materials ($0.4 billion) partly offset the increases.

•     The increase in exports of services mostly reflected increases in transport ($0.2 billion) and in other business services ($0.1 billion), which includes research and development services;  professional and management services; and technical, trade-related, and other services.

Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $0.6 billion, or 0.2 percent, in February to $259.1 billion. Imports of goods increased $0.9 billion and imports of services decreased $0.3 billion.
•     The increase in imports of goods mostly reflected increases in consumer goods ($1.6 billion) and in other goods ($0.5 billion). A decrease in industrial supplies and materials ($1.2 billion)partly offset the increases.

•     The decrease in imports of services mostly reflected decreases in transport ($0.2 billion) and in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.1 billion). An increase in government goods  and services ($0.1 billion) partly offset the decreases.

For more information, read the full report.