The Goods and Services Deficit Increased to $43.5 billion in September 2017

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that the goods and services deficit was $43.5 billion in September, up $0.7 billion from $42.8 billion in August, revised. September exports were $196.8 billion, $2.1 billion more than August exports. September imports were $240.3 billion, $2.8 billion more than August imports.

The September increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $0.6 billion to $65.4 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.2 billion to $21.9 billion.

Exports (Exhibits 3, 6, and 7 in the FT-900)

Exports of goods increased $1.8 billion to $130.6 billion in September.

Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $2.1 billion.

  • Industrial supplies and materials increased $1.9 billion.
    • Crude oil increased $1.1 billion.
    •   Nonmonetary gold increased $0.3 billion.
  • Other goods increased $0.8 billion.
  • Consumer goods decreased $0.2 billion.
    • Pharmaceutical preparations decreased $1.0 billion.


Exports of services increased $0.3 billion to $66.2 billion in September.

  • Transport increased $0.3 billion.

Imports (Exhibits 4, 6, and 8 in the FT-900)

Imports of goods increased $2.4 billion to $196.0 billion in September.

Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $2.5 billion.

  • Capital goods increased $1.5 billion.
    • Semiconductors increased $0.5 billion.
    • Civilian aircraft increased $0.3 billion.
  • Industrial supplies and materials increased $1.1 billion.
    • Other petroleum products increased $0.7 billion.
  • Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $0.6 billion.
    • Passenger cars decreased $0.5 billion.

Imports of services increased $0.4 billion to $44.3 billion in September.

  • Transport increased $0.3 billion.

Goods by Selected Countries and Areas (Exhibit 19)

The September figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Hong Kong ($2.7), South and Central America ($2.2), Brazil ($0.8), United Kingdom ($0.7), Singapore ($0.7), OPEC ($0.6), Saudi Arabia ($0.6), and Canada ($0.1). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($29.9), European Union ($14.6), Germany ($5.9), Japan ($5.9), Mexico ($5.1), Italy ($2.9), South Korea ($2.4), India ($2.3), Taiwan ($1.5), and France ($1.2).

  •  The deficit with Germany increased $1.1 billion to $5.9 billion in September. Exports increased less than $0.1 billion to $4.5 billion and imports increased $1.1 billion to $10.4 billion.
  • The deficit with India increased $0.7 billion to $2.3 billion in September. Exports decreased $0.3 billion to $2.1 billion and imports increased $0.4 billion to $4.4 billion.
  • The balance with members of OPEC shifted from a deficit of $0.8 billion to a surplus of $0.6 billion in September. Exports increased $1.0 billion to $5.2 billion and imports decreased $0.4 billion to $4.6 billion.

NOTE: All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified.

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Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021