U.S. Trade Deficit Narrowed in 2019 for First Time in Six Years

The U.S. deficit in goods with China decreased 17.6% in 2019, falling to $345.62 billion, its lowest level since 2014. Goods exports to China fell 11.3%, while goods imports from China decreased 16.2%. The 2019 deficits with Mexico and the European Union were the highest on record, according to the Commerce Department.

Trade has been volatile in recent months, partly due to companies trying to get ahead of anticipated tariff increases by stockpiling imports. Other factors such as the United Auto Workers strike at General Motors Co. and last year’s grounding of Boeing Co. ’s 737 MAX jetliner have muddied U.S. export data.

Wednesday’s report predates recent key developments in U.S. trade policy. The U.S. and China in January signed an agreement that amounts to a cease-fire in their two-year trade war, though it leaves in place about $370 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods. The report also predates the coronavirus outbreak that threatens to disrupt travel and global supply chains in the months ahead.

Exports of civilian aircraft declined by 22.2% last year, while exports of industrial supplies dropped 2%. Imports of both capital goods and industrial supplies also posted year-over-year declines, while imports of consumer goods rose.

In the final month of last year, the foreign-trade gap in goods and services expanded 11.9% from the prior month to a seasonally adjusted $48.88 billion in December.

Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had expected a trade deficit of $48.3 billion.

Imports increased 2.7% in December. Exports, meanwhile, rose 0.8% to $209.64 billion from November’s $208.06 billion.

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