The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods
and services deficit was $43.1 billion in May, down $3.0 billion from $46.1 billion in April,
revised.
Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)
May exports were $215.3 billion, $4.1 billion more than April exports. May imports were $258.4
billion, $1.1 billion more than April imports.
The May decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of
$2.6 billion to $65.8 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.5 billion to $22.7
billion.
Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $17.9 billion, or 7.9 percent, from the
same period in 2017. Exports increased $84.5 billion or 8.8 percent. Imports increased $102.4
billion or 8.6 percent.
Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2)
The average goods and services deficit decreased $4.2 billion to $45.4 billion for the three months
ending in May.
* Average exports increased $3.1 billion to $212.4 billion in May.
* Average imports decreased $1.1 billion to $257.9 billion in May.
Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit increased $0.2 billion from the three months
ending in May 2017.
* Average exports increased $19.9 billion from May 2017.
* Average imports increased $20.1 billion from May 2017.
Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7)
Exports of goods increased $3.7 billion to $144.9 billion in May.
Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $3.6 billion.
* Capital goods increased $2.0 billion.
o Civilian aircraft increased $1.9 billion.
* Foods, feeds, and beverages increased $1.7 billion.
o Soybeans increased $2.0 billion.
* Other goods increased $0.9 billion.
* Industrial supplies and materials decreased $1.3 billion.
o Other petroleum products decreased $0.9 billion.
Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.1 billion.
Exports of services increased $0.4 billion to $70.4 billion in May.
* Transport increased $0.1 billion.
* Other business services, which includes research and development services; professional
and management services; and technical, trade-related, and other services, increased $0.1
billion.
* Financial services increased $0.1 billion.
Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8)
Imports of goods increased $1.1 billion to $210.7 billion in May.
Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $1.0 billion.
* Capital goods increased $2.1 billion.
o Telecommunications equipment increased $0.6 billion.
o Computers increased $0.4 billion.
o Civilian aircraft parts increased $0.3 billion.
o Civilian aircraft engines increased $0.2 billion.
* Consumer goods decreased $0.5 billion.
o Pharmaceutical preparations decreased $0.6 billion.
* Other goods decreased $0.4 billion.
Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.2 billion.
Imports of services decreased $0.1 billion to $47.7 billion in May.
* Transport decreased $0.1 billion.
* Travel (for all purposes including education) decreased $0.1 billion.
* Other business services increased $0.1 billion.
Real Goods in 2012 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11)
The real goods deficit decreased $2.2 billion to $75.3 billion in May.
* Real exports of goods increased $2.6 billion to $153.2 billion.
* Real imports of goods increased $0.4 billion to $228.5 billion.
Revisions
Revisions to April exports
* Exports of goods were revised down $0.1 billion.
* Exports of services were revised up $0.1 billion.
Revisions to April imports
* Imports of goods were revised up less than $0.1 billion.
* Imports of services were revised down $0.2 billion.
Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis (exhibit 19)
The May figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with South and Central America ($3.6),
Hong Kong ($2.8), Singapore ($0.9), Brazil ($0.8), United Kingdom ($0.6), and Saudi Arabia
(less than $0.1). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($32.0), European
Union ($11.9), Japan ($6.0), Mexico ($5.8), Germany ($5.7), Italy ($2.6), Canada ($2.2),
India ($1.9), Taiwan ($1.4), South Korea ($1.4), France ($1.2), and OPEC ($0.2).
* The deficit with members of OPEC decreased $3.1 billion to $0.2 billion in May. Exports
increased $1.3 billion to $5.8 billion and imports decreased $1.9 billion to $6.0 billion.
* The deficit with the European Union decreased $1.3 billion to $11.9 billion in May.
Exports increased $0.2 billion to $27.5 billion and imports decreased $1.2 billion to
$39.3 billion.
* The deficit with China increased $1.2 billion to $32.0 billion in May. Exports increased
$0.6 billion to $11.7 billion and imports increased $1.8 billion to $43.7 billion.
* * *
All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis
unless otherwise specified. Additional statistics, including not seasonally adjusted statistics
and details for goods on a Census basis, are available in Exhibits 1-20b of this release. For
information on data sources, definitions, and revision procedures, see the explanatory notes in
this release. The full release can be found at
www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/index.html or
www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/trade/tradnewsrelease.htm. The full schedule is available
in the Census Bureau’s Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators/ or on
BEA’s Web site at www.bea.gov/newsreleases/news_release_schedule.htm.
Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy has proposed the development of a green hydrogen facility at Hunterston, the former coal terminal in Ayrshire.
Clydeport –...
Libya’s shipping sector is teetering on the edge of collapse as fresh waves of political violence erupt in Tripoli, crippling key port operations and...
WR Logistics, a provider of project logistics solutions for large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, has appointed Massimo Naldini as CEO for Italy.
Naldini will oversee...
Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy has proposed the development of a green hydrogen facility at Hunterston, the former coal terminal in Ayrshire.
Clydeport –...
Libya’s shipping sector is teetering on the edge of collapse as fresh waves of political violence erupt in Tripoli, crippling key port operations and...
KlaipÄ—da Port launched its green hydrogen initiative, positioning itself as the first in Lithuania and the broader Baltic region to produce and supply green...
WR Logistics, a provider of project logistics solutions for large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, has appointed Massimo Naldini as CEO for Italy.
Naldini will oversee...
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.