Trade Deficit decreased to $73.8 Billion in October

The Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported:

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today
that the goods and services deficit was $73.8 billion in October, down $10.0 billion from $83.8 billion in
September, revised.

October exports were $265.7 billion, $4.3 billion less than September exports. October imports were
$339.6 billion, $14.3 billion less than September imports.

emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

Exports and imports decreased in October.

Exports are up 1.9% year-over-year; imports are up 4.4% year-over-year.

Both imports and exports decreased sharply due to COVID-19 and then bounced back – imports and exports have generally increased recently.

The second graph shows the U.S. trade deficit, with and without petroleum.

The blue line is the total deficit, and the black line is the petroleum deficit, and the red line is the trade deficit ex-petroleum products.

Note that net, exports of petroleum products are positive and have been increasing.

The trade deficit with China increased to $28.0 billion from $25.7 billion a year ago.

It is possible some importers are trying to beat potential tariffs.