by Calculated Risk on 12/05/2019 08:44:00 AM

From the Department of Commerce reported:

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $47.2 billion in October, down $3.9 billion from $51.1 billion in September, revised.

October exports were $207.1 billion, $0.4 billion less than September exports. October imports were $254.3 billion, $4.3 billion less than September imports.

Click on graph for larger image.

Both exports and imports decreased in October.

Exports are 25% above the pre-recession peak and down 1% to October 2018; imports are 10% above the pre-recession peak, and down 5% compared to October 2018.

In general, trade both imports and exports have moved more sideways or down recently.

The second graph shows the U.S. trade deficit, with and without petroleum.

The blue line is the total deficit, and the black line is the petroleum deficit, and the red line is the trade deficit ex-petroleum products.

Note that the U.S. exported a slight net positive petroleum products in September and October.

Oil imports averaged $52.00 per barrel in October, down from $53.12 in September, and down from $61.25 in October 2018.

The trade deficit with China decreased to $31.3 billion in October, from $43.1 billion in October 2018.