US trade deficit widens slightly in July as exports slip

Christopher Rugaber

Associated Press

The Commerce Department reports on the U.S. trade gap for July.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. trade deficit increased slightly in July as exports slipped a bit more than imports.

The Commerce Department said this week that the trade gap reached $43.7 billion in July, up from $43.5 billion in June. Exports declined $600 million to $194.4 billion, while imports slid $400 million to $238.1 billion.

The trade deficit had narrowed in the spring as exports of U.S. computer products and farm goods rose. U.S. exporters benefited from a decline in the value of the dollar, which makes American products cheaper overseas. Solid global growth also helped, as economies from Europe to Asia to Latin America are expanding simultaneously. Exports in June were the highest in 2 ½ years.

Still, the trade gap this year is running ahead of last year's level as rising consumer spending and greater business investment draws in more imports.

A larger trade deficit typically translates into slower U.S. growth, because it means Americans are buying more goods from overseas than from the U.S.

In July, exports of chemicals, petroleum, and plastics fell. But shipments overseas of civilian aircraft jumped by $1.1 billion and exports of telecom equipment, aircraft parts, and industrial machinery rose.

Ag exports hit record

At the same time, imports of meat and vegetables increased, pushing agricultural imports in July to $11.7 billion, the highest on record.

In the first seven months of the year, the trade gap rose $27.9 billion, or 9.6 percent, to $319.1 billion, compared with the same period in 2016. Imports of crude oil, computers, telecom equipment, and autos increased during that period.

The trade deficit with China continued to widen in July, reaching $33.6 billion, the highest in nearly a year. Through July the deficit with China climbed to $204.2 billion, nearly 7 percent higher than the first seven months of 2016.

The trade gap with Mexico fell to $4.9 billion from $6 billion. President Donald Trump has pushed Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the NAFTA pact, which he argues encourages American companies to relocate to Mexico.