
This release contains sensitive economic
data not to be released before 8:30 a.m. Thursday,
January 21, 1999     

CB-99-14      Press Copy 
FT-900 (98-11)

For information on goods contact:
Bureau of the Census:
Haydn R. Mearkle  (301) 457-2246 
Richard M. Preuss (301) 457-2311

For information on services contact:
Bureau of Economic Analysis:
Technical: Christopher Bach (202) 606-9545
Media: Larry Moran            (202) 606-2649

          U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES
                          November 1998
Goods and Services

     The Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, through 
the Department of Commerce, announced today that total November exports of 
$78.7 billion and imports of $94.1 billion resulted in a goods and services 
deficit of $15.5 billion, $1.9 billion more than the $13.6 billion in 
October, revised.  November exports were $1.6 billion less than October
exports of $80.2 billion.  November imports were $0.3 billion more than 
October imports of $93.8 billion.  

     In November, the goods deficit increased $1.7 billion from October to 
$21.9 billion, and the services surplus decreased $0.2 billion to $6.4
billion.  Exports of goods decreased to $56.8 billion from $58.3 billion, 
and imports of goods increased to $78.7 billion from $78.5 billion. Exports 
of services decreased to $21.8 billion from $21.9 billion and imports of 
services increased to $15.4 billion from $15.3 billion.

Goods
     
     The October to November change in exports of goods reflected decreases 
in capital goods of $1.0 billion (primarily civilian aircraft, computer 
accessories, and  semiconductors) , consumer goods ($0.3 billion), foods, 
feeds, and beverages ($0.2 billion), and industrial supplies and materials 
($0.1 billion). An increase occurred in automotive vehicles, parts, and 
engines of $0.4 billion.  Other goods were virtually unchanged.
 
     The October to November change in imports of goods reflected increases 
in capital goods of $0.4 billion (primarily semiconductors, computer 
accessories and telecommunications equipment), automotive vehicles, parts, 
and engines ($0.3 billion), and consumer goods ($0.1 billion).  A decrease 
occurred in industrial supplies and materials of $0.5 billion. Foods, feeds, 
and beverages and other goods were virtually unchanged.

Note:  Total goods are reported on a balance of payments basis; commodity 
and country detail for goods are on a Census basis. Definitions are 
explained in the notes starting on page 26 of this release.


Services
     
     Services exports decreased $0.1 billion from October to November. 
Small decreases in several categories of services exports were partially 
offset by small increases in others.

     Services imports increased $0.1 billion from October to November, 
reflecting small increases in nearly all categories.

Goods and Services Moving Average 

     For the three months ending in November, exports of goods and services 
averaged $78.8 billion, while imports of goods and services averaged $93.3 
billion, resulting in an average trade deficit of $14.5 billion.  For the 
three months ending in October, the average trade deficit was $14.9 billion, 
reflecting average exports of $77.6 billion and average imports of $92.4 
billion.



Selected Not Seasonally Adjusted Goods Details 

     The November figures showed surpluses, in billions of dollars, with 
Australia $0.5 (for October $0.6), Brazil $0.5 ($0.6), OPEC $0.3 (-$1.0), 
Egypt $0.3 ($0.2), Argentina $0.2 ($0.4) and Hong Kong $0.2 ($0.1).  
Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with Japan -$5.8  (-$6.0), 
China -$5.0 (-$5.5), Western Europe -$3.0   (-$3.2),  Canada -$2.0 (-$1.9), 
Mexico -$1.2 (-$1.7), Taiwan -$1.1  (-$1.3), Korea -$0.5 (-$0.6), and 
Singapore -$0.3 (-$0.3).

     Advanced technology products (ATP) exports were $16.5 billion in 
November and imports were $13.9 billion, resulting in a surplus of $2.6 
billion. November exports were $0.7 billion less than the $17.2 billion in 
October, while imports were $0.4 billion less than the $14.3 billion in 
October.

Revisions
     
     Goods carry-over in November was $0.8 billion (1.4 percent) for 
exports and $1.0 billion (1.3 percent) for imports.  For October, revised 
export carry-over was $0.2 billion (0.3 percent), revised down from $0.7
billion (1.1 percent).  For October, revised import carry-over was $0.3 
billion (0.4 percent), revised down from $1.2 billion (1.4 percent).

     Services exports for October were revised up $0.2 billion to $21.9 
billion.  The revision was primarily attributable to travel, which now 
includes updated source data on foreign visitors to the United States. 
Services imports for October were virtually unrevised at $15.3 billion.




                              NOTICE

                     Scheduled Release Dates
                             for 1999
                      are Located on Page 29

Seasonally Adjusted

Exhibit 1  International Trade in Goods and Services . . . . . ...........4

Exhibit 2  Goods and Services Centered Three - Month Moving Averages......5

Exhibit 3  U.S. Services by Major Category--Exports. . . . . . ...........6

Exhibit 4  U.S. Services by Major Category--Imports. . . . . . ...........7

Exhibit 5  U.S. Trade in Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...........8

Exhibit 6  Exports and Imports of Goods by Principal End-Use Category.....9

Exhibit 7  Exports of Goods by End-Use Category and Commodity............10

Exhibit 8  Imports of Goods by End-Use Category and Commodity............12

Exhibit 9  Petroleum and Non-Petroleum End-Use Category Totals...........14

Exhibit 10  Exports and Imports of Goods by Principal End-Use
            Category (Constant Dollars) . . . . . . . ...................15

Exhibit 11  Exports, Imports, and Balance of Goods, Petroleum and Non-
            Petroleum End-Use Commodity Category Totals 
            (Constant Dollars)...........................................16

Not Seasonally Adjusted

Exhibit 12  U.S. Trade in Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........17

Exhibit 13  Exports and Imports of Goods by Principal 
            End-Use Category.............................................18


Exhibit 14  Exports, Imports, and Balance of Goods by Selected  
            Countries and Areas   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........19

Exhibit 15  Exports and Imports of Goods by Principal SITC 
            Commodity Groupings..........................................21

Exhibit 16  Exports, Imports, and Balance of Advanced 
            Technology Products.........................................23

Exhibit 17  Imports of Energy - Related Petroleum Products, 
            Including Crude Petroleum . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........24

Exhibit 18  Exports and Imports of Motor Vehicles and Parts 
            By Selected Countries........................................25

Information on Goods and Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........26
SOURCE: Report FT900 (CB-99-14), Bureau of the Census, Foreign Trade
        Division, November 1998.  For more information, contact Haydn R. 
        Mearkle (301-457-2246) or Richard M. Preuss (301-457-2311), 
        Foreign Trade Division.