empty
08.03.2023 11:44 PM
Imports of goods to the U.S. are steadily increasing

The U.S. trade deficit grew to the widest in three months at the start of the year, thanks to a strong pickup in imports of merchandise.

U.S. merchandise imports are rising moderately

The opening of China and the abandonment of quarantine measures around the world have led to a recovery in supply chains. This has not slowed the volume of shipments to developed countries. The U.S., like European countries, has significantly increased shipments of finished and semi-finished goods to the country.

The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a $68.7 billion gap, up 1.6% from a month earlier in January.

Probably, the reason for that is buoyant exports, including energy exports to European countries, as many months of the dollar's decline also helped stimulate purchases of goods by U.S. manufacturers. Inflation-adjusted exports of consumer goods, automobiles and parts reached record levels, and the real value of shipments of capital goods overseas was the highest since March 2019. Overall, the U.S. shipped more goods in January compared to December 2022.

The increase in exports is noted for the first time since August 2022. At the same time, it took place in almost all industries. Pharmaceutical and other consumer segments, capital equipment, and automobiles were notable.

At the same time, so-called "travel exports," that is, the amount travelers spend in the U.S., fell to $12.1 billion, while travel imports, a measure of the number of trips Americans make abroad, rose to $11.9 billion, a record gap. Apparently, the weak dollar has so far provided little incentive for foreigners to visit America.

As a result, the value of imports rose 3%, to $325.8 billion, while exports rose to $257.5 billion. Net exports are expected to add about 0.6 percentage point to growth in the first quarter. This exceeds fourth-quarter trade growth, but not as much as the import component.

The stable domestic economy and the "commodity hunger" of earlier periods helped support import demand. In addition, reduced shipping congestion and the normalization of global supply chains have generally helped trade between the U.S. and other countries. For example, the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China, unadjusted, widened to $25.2 billion from $23.5 billion.

Despite the growth of commodity transactions, economists give restrained forecasts, expecting the "commodity hunger" to soon be saturated and demand to fall due to rising prices.

This is indirectly evidenced by an adjustment for inflation. While the nominal merchandise trade deficit narrowed slightly, January's adjusted merchandise deficit widened to $101.8 billion, also the largest in three months. There are nuances here, however.

Indeed, the drop in demand now looming this summer may reduce inflationary pressures. However, rising wages have the potential to stimulate demand for both goods and services. Given the "cheap wages" effect, where inflation quickly eats away at savings, the public tends to invest in real estate and, with little savings, in durable goods. Demand for goods is likely to remain at a fairly high level, preventing the import component in the U.S. balance of trade from declining. Buoyant demand, in turn, will keep the dollar from falling too much. But it will be a negative factor for the economies of developing countries.

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

From Nvidia to Xiaomi: What's Driving Stock Market Growth and Decline Today

Indices Rising: Dow 1.78%, S&P 500 2.05%, Nasdaq 2.47% Consumer Confidence Recovers in May Temu Parent PDD Holdings Falls on Quarterly Revenue Slip Chinese Xiaomi Shares Set to Rise 2.3%

Thomas Frank 12:06 2025-05-28 UTC+2

Whoever doesn't risk a recession doesn't reduce the national debt? Trader's calendar on May 29–31

To be at the center of global attention and to "shape the planet's destiny" — that's what Donald Trump enjoys most. For him, it's essential to constantly generate headlines

Svetlana Radchenko 11:47 2025-05-28 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 28

The S&P 500 index has broken through the key 5,908 level, signaling the end of its recent correction and opening the door to further upside. A break above the resistance

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:25 2025-05-28 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 27

US President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on imports from the EU, yet financial markets responded with restraint. Investors are increasingly adopting a "threat and retreat" strategy, buying stocks

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:54 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Nvidia on the agenda: markets await quarterly report, dollar nears fifth straight monthly decline

Stock markets showed mixed dynamics on Tuesday after Donald Trump unexpectedly postponed the introduction of the promised 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union. The move only increased uncertainty

Thomas Frank 11:31 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Gold at $4,200? Why the Market Is Once Again Preparing for a Historic Rally

The gold market has recently been highly volatile, with dramatic movements in both directions. After breaking above $3,000 per ounce, the metal entered a phase of heightened volatility—testing resistance

Anna Zotova 00:23 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Bitcoin hesitates whether to pull back to $100,000 or climb to $115,000

The world's first cryptocurrency finds itself in limbo. After a recent rally, it pulled back and then settled. At the moment, Bitcoin is at a crossroads, with market participants closely

Larisa Kolesnikova 15:16 2025-05-26 UTC+2

All eyes on Nvidia as markets brace for fresh turbulence

Nvidia's results, the final earnings report from the Magnificent Seven, are set for release on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and European markets are back to square one. The 30-year

12:58 2025-05-26 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 26

Investors have resumed buying shares of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold following the end of its correction phase and subsequent consolidation. Optimism is fueled by technical signals and stabilization

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:01 2025-05-26 UTC+2

The Nvidia Effect: Can Markets Withstand the Latest Wave of Pressure?

Nvidia results due Wednesday, last of Magnificent 7 earnings Donald Trump and European markets back to square one 30-year Treasury yields top 5% in a week S&P 500 falls more

Thomas Frank 08:44 2025-05-26 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.