The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in May 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $51.2 billion in April (revised) to $55.5 billion in May, as imports increased more than exports. The previously published April deficit was $50.8 billion. The goods deficit increased $4.4 billion in May to $76.1 billion. The services surplus increased $0.1 billion in May to $20.6 billion.
Exports of goods and services increased $4.2 billion, or 2.0 percent, in May to $210.6 billion. Exports of goods increased $3.9 billion and exports of services increased $0.3 billion.
- The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in capital goods ($1.4 billion), in consumer goods ($0.8 billion), in foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.7 billion), in other goods ($0.6 billion), and in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.6 billion).
- The increase in exports of services mostly reflected increases in maintenance and repair services ($0.1 billion), in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.1 billion), and in transport ($0.1 billion).
Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $8.5 billion, or 3.3 percent, in May to $266.2 billion. Imports of goods increased $8.3 billion and imports of services increased $0.2 billion.
- The increase in imports of goods mostly reflected increases in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($2.3 billion), in industrial supplies and materials ($1.8 billion), in capital goods ($1.6 billion), in consumer goods ($1.4 billion), and in other goods ($1.0 billion).
- The increase in imports of services mostly reflected an increase in transport ($0.2 billion). A decrease in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.1 billion) partly offset the increase.
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, May 2019.