The U.S.
Commerce Department reported on Wednesday that U.S. the goods and services
trade deficit narrowed to $50.7 billion in June from a revised $54.8 billion in
the previous month (originally a gap of $54.6 billion).
Economists had
expected a deficit of $50.1 billion.
According to
the report, the June decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decline
in the goods deficit of $4.0 billion to $72.2 billion and an advance in the
services surplus of $0.1 billion to $21.5 billion.
In June,
exports of goods and services from the U.S. climbed 9.4 percent m-o-m to $158.3
billion, while imports rose 4.7 percent m-o-m to $208.9 billion, in part, due
to the impact of COVID-19, as many businesses were operating at limited
capacity or ceased operations completely, and the movement of travelers across
borders was restricted.
Year-to-date,
the goods and services deficit declined 7.8 percent from the same period in
2019. Exports plunged 15.7 percent, while imports tumbled 14.2 percent.