The US Census Bureau and the US 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 of goods decreased $4.4 billion to $136.9 billion in April. 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.
Imports of goods decreased $5.4 billion to $208.7 billion in April. Capital goods except automotive decreased $1.7 billion. Civilian aircraft engines decreased $0.4 billion. Consumer goods decreased $1.1 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.
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).