The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $50.8 billion in April, down $1.1 billion from $51.9 billion in March, revised.

April exports were $206.8 billion, $4.6 billion less than March exports. April imports were $257.6 billion, $5.7 billion less than March imports.

The April decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $1.0 billion to $71.7 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $20.9 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $4.1 billion, or 2.0 percent, from the same period in 2018. Exports increased $8.3 billion or 1.0 percent. Imports increased $12.4 billion or 1.2 percent.

Exports (Exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

Exports of goods decreased $4.4 billion to $136.9 billion in April.

Exports of goods on a Census basis decreased $4.5 billion.

• Capital goods decreased $2.7 billion.
  • Civilian aircraft decreased $2.3 billion.
• Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $0.8 billion.
  • Passenger cars decreased $0.4 billion.
  • Automotive parts and accessories decreased $0.3 billion.
• Consumer goods decreased $0.6 billion.
  • Pharmaceutical preparations decreased $0.4 billion.

Exports of services decreased $0.2 billion to $69.9 billion in April.

• Travel (for all purposes including education) decreased $0.1 billion.
• Maintenance and repair services decreased $0.1 billion.

Imports (Exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

Imports of goods decreased $5.4 billion to $208.7 billion in April.

Imports of goods on a Census basis decreased $5.4 billion.

• Capital goods except automotive decreased $1.7 billion.
  • Semiconductors decreased $0.9 billion.
  • Civilian aircraft engines decreased $0.4 billion.
• Consumer goods decreased $1.1 billion.
  • Gem diamonds decreased $0.7 billion.
• Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $1.0 billion.
  • Passenger cars decreased $0.6 billion.
• Other goods decreased $0.8 billion.
• Industrial supplies and materials decreased $0.6 billion.

Imports of services decreased $0.3 billion to $49.0 billion in April.

• Transport decreased $0.3 billion.

Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Census Basis (Exhibit 19)

The April figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with South and Central America ($4.2), Hong Kong ($2.4), Brazil ($0.9), and Singapore ($0.6). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($29.4), European Union ($15.1), Mexico ($7.9), Japan ($6.5), Germany ($5.4), Italy ($3.1), Taiwan ($2.0), France ($2.0), Canada ($1.8), South Korea ($1.5), India ($1.3), United Kingdom ($0.4), Saudi Arabia ($0.2), and OPEC (less than $0.1).

• The deficit with the European Union decreased $1.0 billion to $15.1 billion in April. Exports decreased $0.4 billion to $27.0 billion and imports decreased $1.4 billion to $42.1 billion.
• The deficit with Canada decreased $0.9 billion to $1.8 billion in April. Exports decreased $0.4 billion to $24.6 billion and imports decreased $1.3 billion to $26.4 billion.
• The deficit with China increased $2.1 billion to $29.4 billion in April. Exports decreased $1.8 billion to $8.5 billion and imports increased $0.3 billion to $37.9 billion.