Trade deficit remains stubbornly high amid escalating global tensions
- A government report shows a $55.2 billion trade shortfall, down $200 million from the previous month.
- Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had estimated a bigger drop to $54.6 billion.
- President Trump has made reducing the trade deficit a major priority but the shortfall has increased 7.9%, or $23.2 billion, from a year earlier.
The U.S. deficit with its global trading partners edged lower in June but was bigger than expected ahead of an escalating trade war with China.
A government report Friday showed a $55.2 billion shortfall, down $200 million from the previous month as a $4.6 billion drop in imports offset a $4.4 billion increase in imports. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had estimated a bigger drop to $54.6 billion.
Trade with China was little changed, with the $30 billion deficit reflecting a $200 billion decline from May.
The numbers came amid efforts through the month to resume trade negotiations prior to the G-20 summit, when the U.S. and China agreed to restart talks aimed at halting a tariff battle that began in 2018.
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered 10% tariffs on an additional $300 billion or so of Chinese goods, essentially putting duties on all imports to the U.S.
Trump has made reducing the trade deficit a major priority. However, the shortfall has increased 7.9%, or $23.2 billion, from a year earlier.
Exports contracted across the board, with the biggest dollar decrease of $1.9 billion coming in consumer goods. Gem diamond exports fell $800 million and jewelry declined $400 million. Computer accessories fell $400 million and auto vehicles, parts and engines decreased $500 million.
Industrial supplies and materials imports fell by $3.2 billion, which included a $1.4 billion drop in crude oil shipments into the U.S. Cellphones and related household good imports decreased $1.4 billion.