In Depth Analysis: CalculatedRisk Newsletter on Real Estate (Ad Free) Read it here.

Thursday, April 03, 2025

Trade Deficit decreased to $122.7 Billion in February

by Calculated Risk on 4/03/2025 08:49:00 AM

The Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported:

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $122.7 billion in February, down $8.0 billion from $130.7 billion in January, revised. .

February exports were $278.5 billion, $8.0 billion more than January exports. February imports were $401.1 billion, less than $0.1 billion less than January imports.
emphasis added
U.S. Trade Exports Imports Click on graph for larger image.

Exports increased and imports decreased in February.

Exports were up 4.8% year-over-year; imports were up 19.7% year-over-year.

Exports have generally increased recently, and imports increased sharply. 

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

U.S. Trade Deficit 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 net, exports of petroleum products are positive and have been increasing.

The trade deficit with China increased to $21.1 billion from $19.9 billion a year ago.  

The surge in imports in January and February happened as some importers were avoiding the coming tariffs.