Trade Deficit Widens Sharply In January

The nation's trade deficit widened sharply in January, to $56.6 billion which is beyond Econoday's deepest estimate and marks a negative start to first-quarter net exports.

Imports, at $257.5 billion, were unchanged in the month but not exports which fell a sharp 1.3 percent to $200.9 billion. Exports of services were steady at $66.7 billion while exports of goods fell 2.2 percent to $134.2 billion. And here to blame are industrial supplies, which includes primary metals, down $1.3 billion to $41.5 billion and also capital goods, a central focus of U.S. strength that fell $2.6 billion to $44.9 billion and includes a $1.8 billion decline in civilian aircraft exports to $3.8 billion.

Imports show a $2 billion rise in industrial supplies to $47.3 billion and a welcome $0.9 billion decline in consumer goods to $54.6 billion. Petroleum imports rose $2.2 billion to $13.2 billion reflecting both higher volumes and higher prices.

Exports are going to have to pick up in February and March otherwise first-quarter GDP will be fighting uphill against an accelerating trade deficit.