US trade deficit narrows in April as imports fall

[WASHINGTON] The US trade deficit retreated from a record high in April amid a decline in imports, suggesting domestic demand was starting to revert back to services from goods.

With at least half of the American population fully vaccinated against Covid-19, authorities across the country are lifting virus-related restrictions on businesses, boosting demand for services like travel. Demand shifted towards goods, with Americans cooped up at home, at the height of the pandemic.

"Consumers splurged on goods during the stay-at-home economy's boom in 2020 and early 2021, since pandemic restrictions reduced spending on meals out, vacations, and other services," said Bill Adams, a senior economist at PNC Financial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"With the pandemic coming under control, consumers are redirecting their spending towards domestically produced services and away from imports."

The trade deficit dropped 8.2 per cent to US$68.9 billion in April, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday. Data for March was revised higher to show the gap widening to a record US$75.0 billion instead of US$74.4 billion as previously reported.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a US$69.0 billion trade deficit in April.

Still, the trade deficit was likely to remain elevated as economic activity in the United States rebounds faster than its global rivals, also thanks to massive fiscal stimulus. Robust demand as the economy reopens is straining supply chains.

"We see no change in the prevailing trend of trade where the stronger US economy is sucking in more goods demanded by consumers and businesses, while America's trading partners are finding it harder to restart their economic growth following the pandemic," said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS in New York.

Imports fell 1.4 per cent to US$273.9 billion in April. Goods imports dropped 1.9 per cent to US$232.0 billion.

The decline was led by a US$2.6 billion drop in imports of consumer goods, which reflected decreases in textile apparel, toys, games and sporting goods as well as household appliances.

Imports of motor vehicles, parts and engines also fell. But imports of cell phones and other household goods increased.

Imports of foods, feeds and beverages were the highest on record as were of those of capital goods. Imports of services increased US$0.7 billion to US$41.9 billion in April. They were lifted by travel and transport services.

Exports rose 1.1 per cent in April to US$205.0 billion. Exports of goods gained 1.1 per cent to a record US$145.3 billion.

They were led by a US$2.1 billion increase in shipments of capital goods, which reflected gains in civilian aircraft.

Exports of industrial supplies and materials, which were the highest on record, increased US$0.8 billion, with crude oil shipments rising US$1.0 billion.

But exports of motor vehicles, parts and engines fell.

Exports of foods, feeds and beverages were the highest on record. The pandemic remained a drag on trade services, especially travel. Exports of services increased US$0.7 billion amid small gains in travel, transport and charges for the use of intellectual property.

At US$17.8 billion in April, the services surplus was the smallest since August 2012.

Exports are likely to continue rising as global economic growth gains momentum. The resumption of international travel and in-person learning at US universities in the fall is likely to result in an improvement in services trade.

When adjusted for inflation, the goods trade deficit decreased US$7.2 billion to US$98.6 billion in April.

"That suggests that net trade will provide a negligible boost to GDP growth, but that would represent a big improvement from the sizeable drag in recent quarters," said Michael Pearce, a senior US economist at Capital Economics in New York.

Trade was a drag on gross domestic product growth in the first quarter. Most economists expect double-digit GDP growth this quarter, which would position the economy to achieve growth of at least 7 per cent in 2021, which would be the fastest since 1984.

The economy contracted 3.5 per cent in 2020, its worst performance in 74 years.

REUTERS