by Calculated Risk on 11/05/2019 08:48:00 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 $52.5 billion in September, down $2.6 billion from $55.0 billion in August, revised.

September exports were $206.0 billion, $1.8 billion less than August exports. September imports were $258.4 billion, $4.4 billion less than August imports.

Click on graph for larger image.

Both exports and imports decreased in September.

Exports are 25% above the pre-recession peak and down 2% to September 2018; imports are 11% above the pre-recession peak, and down 3% compared to September 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.

Oil imports averaged $53.12 per barrel in September, down from $54.13 in August, and down from $61.40 in September 2018.

The trade deficit with China decreased to $31.6 billion in September, from $40.3 billion in September 2018.