The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $55.5 billion in May, up $4.3 billion from $51.2 billion in April, revised.

May exports were $210.6 billion, $4.2 billion more than April exports. May imports were $266.2 billion, $8.5 billion more than April imports.

The May increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $4.4 billion to $76.1 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $20.6 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $15.7 billion, or 6.4 percent, from the same period in 2018. Exports increased $5.1 billion or 0.5 percent. Imports increased $20.8 billion or 1.6 percent.

Exports (Exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

Exports of goods increased $3.9 billion to $140.8 billion in May.

Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $4.0 billion.

• Capital goods increased $1.4 billion.
  • Civilian aircraft increased $0.5 billion.
  • Telecommunications equipment increased $0.4 billion.
• Consumer goods increased $0.8 billion.
  • Gem diamonds increased $0.3 billion.
  • Jewelry increased $0.3 billion.
  • Pharmaceutical preparations increased $0.2 billion.
• Foods, feeds, and beverages increased $0.7 billion.
  • Soybeans increased $0.7 billion.
  • Other goods increased $0.6 billion.
• Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $0.6 billion.

Exports of services increased $0.3 billion to $69.8 billion in May.

• Maintenance and repair services increased $0.1 billion.
• Travel (for all purposes including education) increased $0.1 billion.
• Transport increased $0.1 billion.

Imports (Exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

Imports of goods increased $8.3 billion to $217.0 billion in May.

Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $8.1 billion.

• Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $2.3 billion.
  • Passenger cars increased $1.5 billion.
• Industrial supplies and materials increased $1.8 billion.
  • Crude oil increased $1.3 billion.
• Capital goods increased $1.6 billion.
  • Semiconductors increased $0.5 billion.
  • Computers increased $0.4 billion.
  • Computer accessories increased $0.3 billion.
• Consumer goods increased $1.4 billion.
• Other goods increased $1.0 billion.

Imports of services increased $0.2 billion to $49.2 billion in May.

• Transport increased $0.2 billion.
• Travel (for all purposes including education) decreased $0.1 billion.

Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Census Basis (Exhibit 19)

The May figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with South and Central America ($4.1), Hong Kong ($2.6), Singapore ($0.6), Brazil ($0.5), Saudi Arabia (less than $0.1), and United Kingdom (less than $0.1). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($30.1), European Union ($16.9), Mexico ($9.1), Japan ($6.0), Germany ($5.8), Canada ($3.6), Italy ($2.6), France ($2.1), India ($1.9), Taiwan ($1.5), South Korea ($1.4), and OPEC ($0.1).

• The deficit with Canada increased $1.8 billion to $3.6 billion in May. Exports decreased $0.3 billion to $24.3 billion and imports increased $1.5 billion to $27.9 billion.
• The deficit with the European Union increased $1.8 billion to $16.9 billion in May. Exports increased $0.2 billion to $27.2 billion and imports increased $2.0 billion to $44.1 billion.
• The deficit with Japan decreased $0.5 billion to $6.0 billion in May. Exports increased $0.5 billion to $6.6 billion and imports increased less than $0.1 billion to $12.5 billion.