The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in March 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $49.3 billion in February (revised) to $50.0 billion in March, as imports increased more than exports. The previously published February deficit was $49.4 billion. The goods deficit increased $0.5 billion in March to $72.4 billion. The services surplus decreased $0.2 billion in March to $22.4 billion.
Exports
Exports of goods and services increased $2.1 billion, or 1.0 percent, in March to $212.0 billion. Exports of goods increased $2.0 billion and exports of services increased less than $0.1 billion.
- The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($1.7 billion) and in foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.8 billion). A decrease in capital goods ($0.5 billion) partly offset the increases.
- The increase in exports of services mostly reflected increases in maintenance and repair services ($0.1 billion) and in financial services ($0.1 billion). A decrease in transport ($0.1 billion) partly offset the increases.
Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $2.8 billion, or 1.1 percent, in March to $262.0 billion.
- Imports of goods increased $2.6 billion and imports of services increased $0.2 billion. The increase in imports of goods mostly reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($2.4 billion) and in foods, feeds, and beverages ($1.0 billion). A decrease in consumer goods ($0.7 billion) partly offset the increases.
- The increase in imports of services mostly reflected increases in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.1 billion) and in maintenance and repair services ($0.1 billion). A decrease in insurance services ($0.1 billion) partly offset the increases.
For more information, read the full report.