The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in September 2020 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $67.0 billion in August (revised) to $63.9 billion in September, as exports increased more than imports. The previously published August deficit was $67.1 billion. The goods deficit decreased $3.1 billion in September to $80.7 billion. The services surplus increased less than $0.1 billion in September to $16.8 billion.
Exports
Exports of goods and services increased $4.4 billion, or 2.6 percent, in September to $176.4 billion. Exports of goods increased $3.7 billion and exports of services increased $0.7 billion.
- The increase in exports of goods reflected increases in foods, feeds, and beverages ($1.6 billion) and in capital goods ($1.4 billion).
- The increase in exports of services reflected increases in transport ($0.2 billion), in travel ($0.1 billion), in financial services ($0.1 billion), and in other business services ($0.1 billion).
Imports
Imports of goods and services increased $1.2 billion, or 0.5 percent, in September to $240.2 billion. Imports of goods increased $0.6 billion and imports of services increased $0.6 billion.
- The increase in imports of goods reflect increases in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($3.2 billion) and in capital goods ($0.8 billion). Decreases in consumer goods ($2.1 billion) and in industrial supplies and materials ($1.3 billion) partly offset the increases.
- The increase in imports of services reflected increases in travel ($0.3 billion) and in transport ($0.2 billion).
The trade statistics reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery. The effects of the pandemic cannot be separately identified in the statistics. 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, September 2020.
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