The U.S. goods and services deficit was $43.7 billion in March, down $0.1 billion from in the revised February figure, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce. March exports were $191 billion, $1.7 billion less than February exports. March imports were $234.7 billion, $1.7 billion less than February imports.
The March decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $0.4 billion to $65.5 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.4 billion to $21.8 billion. Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased 7.5 percent from the same period in 2016. Exports increased 7.1 percent. Imports also increased 7.1 percent.
Exports of goods decreased $2.1 billion to $126.3 billion in March, primarily reflecting a decrease in industrial supplies and materials of $1.8 billion and a decrease in fuel oil of $0.6 billion.
Imports of goods decreased $1.7 billion to $191.8 billion in March, primarily reflecting a decrease in capital goods of $0.9 billion and a decrease in civilian aircraft of $0.3 billion.
