Advance international trade in goods deficit shows decrease in June

U.S. Census Bureau – Due to recent events surrounding COVID-19, many businesses are operating on a limited capacity or have ceased operations completely. The Census Bureau has monitored response and data quality and determined estimates in this release meet publication standards. For more information on the compilation of this month’s report, see COVID-19 FAQs.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced the following international trade, wholesale inventories, and retail inventories advance statistics for June 2020:

Advance International Trade in Goods: The international trade deficit was $70.6 billion in June, down $4.6 billion from $75.3 billion in May.  Exports of goods for June were $102.6 billion, $12.5 billion more than May exports. Imports of goods for June were $173.2 billion, $7.9 billion more than May imports.

Advance Wholesale Inventories: Wholesale inventories for June, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $629.6 billion, down 2.0 percent (±0.2 percent) from May 2020, and were down 6.1 percent (±0.9 percent) from June 2019.  The April 2020 to May 2020 percentage change was unrevised from the preliminary estimate of down 1.2 percent (±0.2 percent).

Advance Retail Inventories: Retail inventories for June, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $588.2 billion, down 2.6 percent (±0.2 percent) from May 2020, and were down 11.5 percent (±0.7 percent) from June 2019.  The April 2020 to May 2020 percentage change was unrevised from the preliminary estimate of down 6.2 percent (±0.2 percent).