The trade deficit widened to $77.6bn in May as capital goods imports hit a record

The May trade figures, published on July 7, were covered by Cris Tolomia at Quartz. The goods and services deficit was $77.6bn, up $23.0bn from a revised $54.6bn in April. Imports rose 3.3 percent, to $395.3bn, while exports fell 3.2 percent, to $317.7bn. Capital goods imports reached a record $127.9bn, helped by computer accessories and semiconductors, though computer imports fell $3.4bn. Consumer goods imports rose $3.5bn and automotive $2.2bn. On the export side, nonmonetary gold shipments fell $6.2bn. The goods deficit widened $23.6bn, to $106.5bn. The services surplus grew $0.6bn, to $28.9bn. The largest bilateral goods gaps were with Vietnam at $20.6bn, Mexico at $20.1bn and Taiwan at $19.4bn. June data arrive August 4.