In what’s likely to negatively impact the next revision to fourth-quarter GDP estimates, the BEA’s report on International Trade for December shows the trade deficit widened sharply thanks to surging imports.
The deficit was larger than any Econoday economists’ estimate. The consensus was -$51.9 billion in a range of -$51.2 billion to -$52.7 billion.
3 Month Moving Average
Those looking for an acceleration in something cannot point to wages but they can point to trade deficits. The trade imbalance for the month surged to $53.1 billion.
2017 Summary
2017 Exports vs Imports
For 2017, the goods and services deficit was $566.0 billion, up $61.2 billion from $504.8 billion in 2016. Exports were $2,329.3 billion in 2017, up $121.2 billion from 2016. Imports were $2,895.3 billion in 2017, up $182.5 billion from 2016.
2017 China
For 2017, the deficit with China increased $28.2 billion to $375.2 billion. Exports increased $14.8 billion to $130.4 billion and imports increased $43.0 billion to $505.6 billion.
2017 Mexico
For 2017, the deficit with Mexico increased $6.7 billion to $71.1 billion. Exports increased $13.3 billion to $243.0 billion and imports increased $20.0 billion to $314.0 billion.
2017 Japan
For 2017, the deficit with Japan was essentially unchanged at $68.8 billion. Exports were $68 billion, imports $137 billion. Imports and exports each rose about $4 billion.
2017 EU
For 2017, the deficit with the European Union increased $4.7 billion to $151.4. Exports increased $13.9 billion to $283.5 billion and imports increased $18.6 billion to $434.9 billion.
Synopsis
- 2017 Exports Up $121.2 Billion, Imports $182.5 Billion
- 2017 Deficit Up $61.2 Billion
- 2017 China Deficit $375.2 Billion, Up $28.2 Billion
- 2017 Mexico Deficit $71.1 Billion, Up $6.7 Billion
- 2017 EU Deficit $151.4 Billion, Up $4.7 Billion
- 2017 Japan Deficit $68.0 billion, Unchanged
Trump Will Howl
Trump will howl over these numbers but the problem is entirely the United States’ making.
With US deficit spending rising, it takes capital imports to balance out. Trump’s tax plan increases the deficit so expect these numbers to worsen.
For discussion of the trade deficit math, please see Trump’s Tariffs Prove He’s “Clueless About Trade”.
Once again, the roots of this problem date back to August 15, 1971. That is when Nixon closed the gold window, ending foreign redemption of dollars for gold.
For discussion of Nixon’s role, please see Disputing Trump’s NAFTA “Catastrophe” with Pictures: What’s the True Source of Trade Imbalances?
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
http://vimaxmedan.xyz
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Nicely stated KINU…One thing for sure having free trade policies with .58 per hour countries has to be the dummest strategy ever done and they did it.
It is also notable that most governments run deficits — spending more than they take in. Certainly, Japan & Germany are in that category. Yet they run trade surpluses despite running budget deficits. There are clearly many factors involved in the performance of any economy — but the damaging effects of over-regulation must be high on the list.
Mish — you have many pertinent insights, but why do you keep going back to an event in 1971 to explain an explosion in the trade deficit a quarter of a century later? There are graphs (sorry, can’t link) showing the exponential growth in laws & regulations since the founding of the Environmental Protection Agency in the 1970s. Might that also be part of the explanation for the offshoring of US industry and the consequent trade deficits? After all, the link between a currency backed by gold and trade balances seems somewhat questionable. China, Mexico, Japan, Europe — none of them have gold-backed currencies, and yet they manage to run trade surpluses with the US. I am all in favor of currencies which can’t be messed around by the vile Political Class — but we also need to look very critically at the cost/benefit ratios of the last 40+ years of increasingly intrusive regulations. (My apologies for the lack of paragraphs — the comment system is not exactly user-friendly).
Pretty bad stats, but not surprising. Very few people I know give a hoot about where the products they buy are made. I know, people want the best deal, but for CRAP made in China no price is cheap enough.
Thanks Tedr appreciated
Great post Mish.