
This release contains sensitive
economic data not to be released before 8:30 a.m. Thursday,
December 16, 1999

CB-99-241 Press Copy 
FT-900 (99-10)

For information on goods contact:
Bureau of the Census:
Haydn R. Mearkle  (301) 457-2246 
Nick Orsini (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
                                October 1999

Goods and Services

The Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the
Department of Commerce, announced today that total October exports of $81.9
billion and imports of $107.9 billion resulted in a goods and services
deficit of $25.9 billion, $1.8 billion more than the deficit of $24.2
billion in September, revised.  October exports were $0.1 billion less than
September exports of $82.0 billion.  October imports were $1.7 billion more
than September imports of $106.2 billion.  

In October, the goods deficit increased $1.8 billion from September to $32.0
billion, and the services surplus was unchanged at $6.1 billion.  Exports of
goods decreased to $58.7 billion from $58.9 billion, and imports of goods
increased to $90.7 billion from $89.1 billion.  Exports of services increased
to $23.2 billion from $23.1 billion and imports of services increased to
$17.2 billion from $17.0 billion.

Goods
     
The September to October change in exports of goods reflected decreases in
capital goods of $0.4 billion (primarily telecommunications equipment); other
goods ($0.3 billion); consumer goods ($0.1 billion); and foods, feeds, and
beverages ($0.1 billion). Increases occurred in industrial supplies and
materials ($0.3 billion) and in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines
($0.1 billion).
 
The September to October change in imports of goods reflected increases in
capital goods of $0.9 billion (primarily computers, computer accessories, and
semiconductors); consumer goods ($0.7 billion); industrial supplies and
materials ($0.4 billion); and other goods ($0.2 billion).  Decreases occurred
in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.3 billion) and in foods, feeds,
and beverages ($0.1 billion). 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 increased $0.1 billion from September to October as an
increase in other private services more than offset a decrease in transfers
under U.S. military sales contracts.  Changes to the other categories of
services exports were small.  Services imports increased  $0.1  billion  from
September to October, reflecting an increase in travel.  Changes to the other
categories of services imports were small.

Goods and Services Moving Average 

For the three months ending in October, exports of goods and services averaged
$82.0 billion, while imports of goods and services averaged $106.7 billion,
resulting in an average trade deficit of $24.7 billion.  For the three months
ending in September, the average trade deficit was $24.5 billion, reflecting
average exports of $81.0 billion and average imports of $105.5 billion.

Selected Not Seasonally Adjusted Goods Details 

The October figures showed surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Australia
$0.8 (for September $0.6), Brazil $0.4 ($0.1), Argentina $0.2 ($0.3), Egypt
$0.2 ($0.2), and Hong Kong $0.0 ($0.1).  Deficits were recorded, in billions
of dollars, with Japan -$7.2  (-$6.6), China -$7.2  (-$6.9), Western Europe
-$5.0 (-$3.5), Canada -$3.2  (-$2.8), OPEC -$2.7 (-$3.0), Mexico -$1.4
(-$2.2), Taiwan -$1.1 (-$1.5), Korea -$1.0 (-$0.9), and Singapore -$0.2
($0.0).

Advanced technology products (ATP) exports were $17.5 billion in October and
imports were $16.7 billion, resulting in a surplus of $0.7 billion.  October
exports were $0.5 billion more than the $17.0 billion in September, while
imports were $0.6 billion more than the $16.1 billion in September.

Revisions
     
Goods carry-over in October was $1.0 billion (1.6 percent) for exports and
$0.9 billion (1.0 percent) for imports.  For September, revised export
carry-over was $0.1 billion (0.2 percent), revised down from $0.7 billion
(1.2 percent).  For September, revised import carry-over was $0.3 billion
(0.3 percent), revised down from $1.1 billion (1.2 percent).

Services exports and imports for April through September 1999 were revised
to incorporate BEA's quarterly U.S. international transactions accounts,
which were released December 14 (see the Information on Goods and Services
section at the end of this release for the monthly revision policy).  The
revised quarterly and monthly estimates are based on more complete source
data than were available previously.  Services exports for September were
revised down $0.1 billion, reflecting small downward revisions to most
categories.  Services imports for September were revised up $0.1 billion,
as an upward revision to other private services more than offset a downward
revision to royalties and license fees.



                 NOTICE  Scheduled Release Dates
                               for 2000
                          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-99-241), Bureau of the Census, Foreign Trade
        Division, October 1999.  For more information, contact Haydn R. 
        Mearkle (301-457-2246) or Nick Orsini (301-457-2311), Foreign 
        Trade Division.           
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