by Calculated Risk on 6/09/2006 10:55:00 AM

UPDATE: On Econbrowser, See Dr. Menzie Chinn's April 2006 Trade Balance Figures

The Census Bureau reported today that the US trade deficit increased to $63.4 billion in April, compared to expectations of $65.0 Billion.


Click on graph for larger image.

Looking at a multi-year graph, its hard to say if there has been a trend change (is the deficit stabilizing at these levels?) or if the trend is still for increasing trade gaps.

My prediction for 2006 was for the deficit to stabilize at the levels seen in the 4th quarter - mostly because I thought the US economy would slow in 2006. Its still too early to tell.

See Dr. Setser's: Not quite as bad as I expected