Trade Deficit

U.S. Trade Deficit Falls to Lowest Level Since December 2010

The U.S. trade deficit declined to the lowest level in almost two years as exports rose to a record high, a gain that is not expected to last given the global economic slowdown. U.S. exports climbed 3.1 percent to an all-time high of $187 billion.

The Obama Romney Debate: Who Won, and What That Means

Let's not sugarcoat it, President Obama won Monday's debate decisively -- at least on the topic of the evening, foreign policy. That's good news for Obama and bad news for Romney. But there's good news for Romney too.

U.S. Trade Deficit Fell 12.1% in Second Quarter as Exports Rose

The U.S. current account trade deficit narrowed in the April-June period, pushed lower by an increase in American exports and cheaper oil imports. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the deficit in the current account decreased 12.1 percent to $117.4 billion in the second quarter.

Cheaper Oil Pushes U.S. Trade Deficit to 18 Month Low

The U.S. trade deficit fell to its lowest level in 18 months in June, pushed down by a steep drop in oil imports and a small rise in exports. The trade gap narrowed to $42.9 billion in June, down from $48 billion in May, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

U.S. Trade Deficit Narrows to $50.1 Billion in April

The U.S. trade deficit shrunk in April, but only because a big drop in imports offset the first decline in U.S. exports in five months. Exports, which had hit a record the previous month, fell 0.8%, but imports, which also set a record in March, dropped an even faster 1.7%.

Happy Chinese New Year! Your Item Is Back-Ordered

Chinese New Year kicked off on Monday, and the celebration of the new lunar cycle will effect you than you might think. When the country that manufactures so much of what we buy goes on vacation for two weeks, U.S. retail can hardly act like it's business as usual.

Consumer Sentiment Plunges as Gas Prices Surge

Bad economic news across the board is weighing on Americans' mood this month. The consumer sentiment index fell to a 5-month low in March, thanks to increases in the U.S. trade deficit, higher jobless claims, and a more than 40-cent jump in the price of a gallon of gas.

The Trade Deficit's Untold Story: Rising Exports

The U.S. trade gap widened to just under $500 billion in 2010, but that obscures impressive growth in global sales of U.S. goods. And the outlook for 2011 is even better. Still, to reach a trade surplus, America must solve two serious problems.

U.S. Trade Deficit Plunges as Exports Hit Two-Year High

Aided by a jump in exports and a dip in imports, the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly plunged to $38.7 billion in October, the U.S. Commerce Department said. A weaker dollar is making U.S. industrial and agricultural goods and services more attractive to foreign customers, including emerging market economies developing their infrastructures.

Consumer Sentiment Rises to Highest Level Since June

The consumer sentiment index rose to its highest level in five months in November, propelled by a slightly better economic outlook. However, despite the gain, sentiment remains at a low level, and not high enough to suggest a surge in consumer spending anytime soon.

U.S. Trade Deficit Shrinks as Exports Hit Two-Year High

Aided by a decline in imports and a two-year high in exports, the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly plunged 5.3% in September to $44 billion. Strong commercial airline orders helped boost the export total. Further, if the dollar remains at present levels, that will likely lead to more export gains in the months ahead -- something that will boost the revenue of many U.S. corporations with substantial international customers.

August Trade Gap Grows Due to Oil, Chinese Imports

The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly jumped to $46.3 billion in August, as the nation's deficit with China surged to a record $28 billion. Oil prices were the other key culprit as the petroleum deficit surged 5.7%.

More Exports, Fewer Imports Aid U.S. Trade Gap

The U.S. trade deficit fell to $42.8 billion in July from $49.8 billion in June. The gap remains huge, but if the trends continues in the months ahead, trade will boost U.S. GDP growth above current forecasts.

When Americans Stop Shopping, the World Suffers

With the U.S. consumer economy in the doldrums, the impact is being felt globally. From China to Germany and Canada to Japan, America's major trading partners are struggling to adapt to a sudden decline in U.S. imports.

U.S. Trade Deficit Unexpectedly Rises in May

May's unexpected rise in the U.S. trade deficit to $42.3 billion isn't likely to resolve the tug of war between the economic optimists and pessimists. Imports and exports both grew, but imports grew marginally faster.

As Exports Fall, Is the Recovery in Jeopardy?

April's trade report provides fodder for the bears, who will likely point to the month's 0.7% drop in exports as further evidence that international demand is not going to drive a self-sustaining recovery in the U.S.

Imported Oil Clouds the U.S. Trade Picture

Minus the $2.76 billion increase in payments for imported oil in March, the month's $40.4 billion trade deficit -- a 12-month high -- would have declined from February's $39.4 billion.

U.S. Trade Deficit Climbs to $40.4 Billion

The U.S. trade deficit rose to a 15-month high as rising oil prices pushed crude oil imports to the highest level since the fall of 2008, offsetting another strong gain in exports. The larger deficit is evidence of a rebounding U.S. economy.

Five Economic Wishes for 2010

If you could wave a magic wand and do whatever it took to fix the U.S. economy, what changes would you make? These five wishes, if granted, would likely result in good things for U.S. investors and the economy for decades to come.

Trade Deficit Widened in February

The trade deficit jumped 7.4% to $39.7 billion in February, the Commerce Department announced Tuesday. Both imports and exports grew, but imports grew at a faster pace than economists had forecast.

Treasury Secretary Geithner's Trade Diplomacy in China

Geithner squeezed in a trip to Beijing on his way home from a visit to India. His mission: to diffuse ever-increasing U.S. trade tensions with China ahead of a meeting next week between the two countries' leaders. Chinese officials may be in a mood to compromise.