The Nation’s international trade deficit in goods and services increased to $44.4 billion from $38.1 billion in December (revised).  Exports decreased $2.1 billion to $184.5 billion in January, primarily due to the decrease of $2.6 billion in industrial supplies and materials.  Meanwhile imports increased $4.1 billion to $228.9, largely due to an increase of $4.0 billion in industrial supplies and materials.

For more information, please visit www.census.gov/ft900.

January’s graph of the month highlights U.S. trade of cellphones.  U.S. imports of cellphones have been rising from 2007 to 2012.  Increases in imports were relatively small from 2011 to 2012.    U.S. exports of cellphones increased over 54 percent from 2009 to 2010.  To view January’s graph of the month, click on this link.

We would also like to mention that January is the first month on our accelerated release schedule.  Beginning this month, our releases will be available an average of 35 calendar days after the end of the reference month.  Click here to read more about our accelerated release.

January also marks the first month the U.S. Census Bureau will publish an updated version of Exhibit 15 in the FT-900: U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services. The commodity groupings and definitions have changed, but the general structure is still the same.  Read more about the changes to Exhibit 15 here.