U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Highlights

May 2, 2013

Goods and Services Deficit Decreases in March 2013

The Nation’s international trade deficit in goods and services decreased to $38.8 billion in March from $43.6 billion (revised) in February, as imports decreased more than exports.

Goods and Services

• Exports decreased to $184.3 billion in March from $186.0 billion in February (revised). Goods were $130.3 billion in March, down from $132.2 billion in February. Services were $53.9 billion in March, up from $53.8 billion in February.

• Imports decreased to $223.1 billion in March from $229.6 billion in February (revised). Goods were $186.5 billion in March, down from $192.9 billion in February. Services were $36.6 billion in March, down from $36.7 billion in February.

• For goods, the deficit was $56.1 billion in March, down from $60.8 billion in February (revised). For services, the surplus was $17.3 billion in March, up from $17.1 billion in February (revised).

Goods by Category (Census basis)

• The February to March decrease in exports of goods reflected decreases in foods, feeds, and beverages ($1.1 billion); automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.3 billion); industrial supplies and materials ($0.3 billion); capital goods ($0.3 billion); and consumer goods ($0.3 billion). An increase occurred in other goods ($0.2 billion).

• The February to March decrease in imports of goods reflected decreases in consumer goods ($3.4 billion); capital goods ($1.5 billion); industrial supplies and materials ($1.4 billion); and automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.8 billion). An increase occurred in other goods ($0.9 billion). Foods, feeds, and beverages were virtually unchanged.

Services by Category

• Exports of services increased $0.1 billion from February to March.  The largest increase was in travel ($0.1 billion).  Changes in the other categories of services exports were relatively small.

• Imports of services decreased $0.1 billion from February to March.  A decrease in  other transportation  ($0.3 billion), which includes freight and port services, was largely offset by increases in travel ($0.1 billion) and passenger fares ($0.1 billion).  Changes in the other categories of services imports were relatively small.

Goods by Geographic Area (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

• The goods deficit with Canada decreased from $2.5 billion in February to $2.3 billion in March.  Exports increased $2.8 billion (primarily automobiles) to $26.0 billion, while imports increased $2.6 billion (primarily passenger cars and civilian aircraft) to $28.3 billion.

• The goods deficit with China decreased from $23.4 billion in February to $17.9 billion in March.  Exports increased $0.1 billion (primarily civilian aircraft, engines, equipment and parts and telecommunications equipment) to $9.4 billion, while imports decreased $5.4 billion (primarily toys, games, and sporting goods; apparel; and footwear) to $27.3 billion.

• The goods deficit with Mexico increased from $4.3 billion in February to $5.3 billion in March.  Exports increased $0.3 billion (primarily fuel oil and computer accessories) to $18.0 billion, while imports increased $1.3 billion (primarily automobiles and computers) to $23.2 billion.

This and more information is provided in the Bureau of the Census and Bureau of Economic Analysis press release:

U.S.International Trade in Goods and Services: March 2013 .

For further information on goods, contact Maria Iseman, Foreign Trade Division, U.S. Census Bureau, on (301) 763-2311; on services, contact Edward Dozier, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, on (202) 606-9559.

NOTE: Total goods data are reported on a Balance of Payments basis; commodity and country detail data for goods are on a Census basis. For information on data sources and definitions, see the information section on page A-1 of the FT-900 release, or at www.census.gov/ft900 or www.bea.gov/bea/di/home/trade.htm.

The next release is June 4, 2013

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Note: Total goods data are reported on a Balance of Payments basis; commodity and country detail data for goods are on a Census basis. For information on data sources and definitions, see the Information Section (PDF, 53k) (TXT, 23k)

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Related sites:

• U.S. Department of Commerce
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division
  • Bureau of Economic Analysis