U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Highlights

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December 19, 2000

Goods and Services Deficit Decreases in October 2000

The Nation's international deficit in goods and services decreased to $33.2 billion in October, from $33.7 billion (revised) in September, as imports decreased more than exports.

Graph of International Trade Balances

Goods and Services

Exports decreased to $91.2 billion from $92.7 billion in September. Goods were $66.4 billion in October, down from $67.8 billion in September, and services were virtually unchanged at $24.8 billion.
Imports decreased to $124.4 billion from $126.4 billion in September. Goods were $105.9 billion in October, down from $107.2 billion in September, and services were $18.5 billion in October, down from $19.2 billion in September.
For goods, the deficit was $39.5 billion in October, up from $39.3 billion in September. For services, the surplus was $6.3 billion in October, up from $5.6 billion in September.

Goods by Category

The September to October change in exports of goods reflected decreases in capital goods; consumer goods; industrial supplies and materials; and foods, feeds, and beverages. An increase occurred in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines. Other goods were virtually unchanged.
The September to October change in imports of goods reflected decreases in industrial supplies and materials; capital goods; other goods; foods, feeds, and beverages; and automotive vehicles, parts, and engines. An increase occurred in consumer goods.

Goods by Geographic Area (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

The goods deficit with China increased from $8.7 billion in September to $9.1 billion in October. Exports increased $0.1 billion (primarily oil seeds) to $1.5 billion, while imports increased $0.5 billion (primarily toys, games, and sporting goods and telecommunications equipment) to $10.6 billion.
The goods deficit with Japan increased from $6.1 billion in September to $8.4 billion in October. Exports increased $0.1 billion (primarily transport equipment) to $5.6 billion, while imports increased $2.4 billion (primarily automobiles and automobile parts) to $14.0 billion.
The goods deficit with Western Europe increased from $4.4 billion in September to $6.1 billion in October. Exports increased $0.5 billion (primarily specialized machinery, fruits and vegetables, and chemical products) to $15.9 billion, while imports increased $2.2 billion (primarily automobiles and automobile parts and organic chemicals) to $22.0 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: October 2000 .

For further information on goods, contact Nick Orsini, Foreign Trade Division, Bureau of the Census, on (301) 457-2311; on services, contact Christopher Bach, Bureau of Economic Analysis, on (202) 606-9545.

The next release is January 19, 2001

Note: Total goods are reported on a balance of payments basis; commodityand country detail for goods are on a Census basis. Definitions are explained in the notes to the monthly press release.

Related sites:

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

Last modified: 19 December 2000