Economics

U.S. Trade Gap Narrows as Autos Spur Record Exports Increase

Outgoing shipments rose the most in records going back to 1992
Total trade still below levels seen before the virus outbreak

Gantry cranes stand above the APM shipping terminal in the Port of Los Angeles in this aerial photograph taken above Los Angeles.Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Elizabeth Dexheimer and Katia Dmitrieva

August 5, 2020 at 12:38 PM UTC

Updated on

August 5, 2020 at 12:56 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The deficit in U.S. trade of goods and services narrowed in June for the first time since February as exports jumped, though shipments remained well below pre-pandemic levels.

Exports increased from the prior month by 9.4%, the most in records back to 1992 to $158.3 billion, according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday. Imports climbed 4.7%, the most since March 2015, to $208.9 billion.