empty
06.01.2022 05:07 PM
The US trade deficit increased by $ 13.7 billion in a month

The US trade deficit widened in November. The increase was due to an increase in the cost of imports. Retail made its contribution, making it almost impossible to fill shelves in retail areas for the sake of holiday shopping. The increased demand for foreign oil also contributed.

The US trade deficit increased by $ 13.7 billion in a month, but exports are also showing records

According to the Ministry of Commerce on January 6, the gap in trade in goods and services increased to $ 80.2 billion from the $ 67.2 billion revised in October. Earlier, experts suggested that the deficit was about $ 81 billion.

This image is no longer relevant

In turn, the volume of imports increased to $ 304.4 billion, and exports increased to $ 224.2 billion, which is also a record.

These figures are not adjusted for inflation. If we take the data adjusted for price increases, then in general, the trade deficit in November increased to $ 110.8 billion from $ 97.1 billion a month earlier.

Supply chains remain one of the main reasons for unsatisfied customer demand and price pressure.

However, a stronger dollar is also gently helping American importers, even though a surge in global inflation leads to higher costs. Thus, the inflation-adjusted dollar index against the currencies of some of its main trading partners strengthened in 2021 for the maximum in six years, which reduced the cost of imports.

But even without currency factors, low inventories compared to sales, supply chain failures and transportation problems continue to prevent manufacturers in the United States from meeting demand.

Meanwhile, the increase in commodity exports is a favorable sign. In particular, such an increase suggests that the importing states of American products are also slowly but surely recovering, which means they require more goods from the United States. That could make trade less of a drag on US economic growth in the coming months after it subtracted 1.26 percentage points from US gross domestic product since the outbreak of the fourth wave of coronavirus.

Nevertheless, experts point to the growing gap between imports and exports: the deficit of commodity trade, excluding services, has increased to a record $ 99 billion.

If we take the services segment, the positive balance here increased to $ 18.8 billion, which was the highest in five months. The 12.7% increase compared to a month earlier was the largest since September 2004 and also indicates a clear economic recovery.

Travel exports (spending by travelers within the United States) jumped by 36.4%, to $ 8.1 billion after travel restrictions were lifted, which is the highest since March 2020.

Travel imports (Americans' spending on overseas travel) have reached a pandemic peak of almost $ 7 billion.

The positive news is likely to further strengthen the dollar in today's session.

Egor Danilov,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US Market News Digest for March 18

February data revealed a 0.2% increase in US retail sales, signaling robust consumer activity. However, New York's manufacturing activity declined in March, pointing to localized economic weakness. Despite these mixed

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:51 2025-03-18 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pauses as S&P 500 Forecasts Worsen – How to Find Balance?

The global market is currently struggling to find balance in key currency pairs and stock instruments. This is particularly challenging given the recent decline of the euro and the weakness

Larisa Kolesnikova 07:52 2025-03-18 UTC+2

Global Market Dynamics: China, the US and AI Are Driving New Trends

Intel rises after a report that the new CEO plans to reorganize manufacturing and artificial intelligence operations. February retail sales rise 0.2%. New York manufacturing activity fell in March. Hong

05:16 2025-03-18 UTC+2

Global Markets in Action: China, US, and AI Set New Trends

Intel Gains After New CEO Plans AI Manufacturing and Operations Overhaul February Retail Sales Up 0.2% New York Manufacturing Activity Falls in March Hong Kong Stocks, Kiwis Gain on China

Thomas Frank 04:59 2025-03-18 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 17

US markets rally on Friday: S&P 500 gains 2.1%, Nasdaq Composite rises 2.6% The US stock market ended the week on a high note, as if the recent turbulence never

Natalia Andreeva 14:04 2025-03-17 UTC+2

Fed against trade war. Can monetary policy rescue economy?

The US stock market continues to experience turmoil, driven by uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump's stance on import tariffs. Investors are eagerly awaiting the Federal Reserve's meeting next week, hoping

13:23 2025-03-17 UTC+2

Fed vs. Tariff War: Will Monetary Policy Save the Economy?

The U.S. stock market continues to be shaken by Donald Trump's uncertain stance on import tariffs. Investors are eagerly awaiting next week's Federal Reserve meeting, hoping for hints

Thomas Frank 10:07 2025-03-17 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 14

Yesterday, the S&P 500 index hit the target level of 5,516 – the same level as June 20, 2024, which is the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the entire rally from

Natalia Andreeva 10:34 2025-03-14 UTC+2

Gold hits record high at nearly $3,000 an ounce. Why are investors dumping stocks en masse?

Wall Street indexes down 1%, S&P 500 confirms correction Trump's tariff changes affect sentiment Gold hits all-time high at $2,993.80 an ounce The US dollar fell against

Thomas Frank 09:40 2025-03-14 UTC+2

Clash of corporate giants: Intel stock soars, PepsiCo loses ground

Intel shares jumped following news that TSMC has extended a joint venture to American chip manufacturers. PepsiCo, on the other hand, fell due to a brokerage downgrade. The latest

10:42 2025-03-13 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.