Total US imports rose 10.5% in December compared to the same month last year to $186.2 billion. From November to December there was strong demand for imported industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, automobiles and parts, and consumer products. Imports of foods, and beverages declined compared to last month.
Total exports rose by 8.7% to record levels. Exports of industrial supplies, machinery, cars, foods and beverages were offset by declines in consumer product exports vs. last month.
Apparel imports declined slightly in December to $6.03 billion. Though a much smaller number, apparel exports rose an outstanding 15.6%, to $427 million. Apparel exports to Canada and Mexico comprised over half the total, followed at a distance by those to Japan and the United Kingdom. Exports to Honduras, the DR, Costa Rica and Spain declined considerably, while those to Chile, the Netherlands, Taiwan and China increased significantly.
Textile imports increased by 6% in dollars compared to the same month last year, while exports gained only 1% to $900 million. Textile exports remain at near record high levels, thanks to healthy shipments to Canada and Mexico (which together comprise about half the total), and CAFTA countries El Salvador, the DR, Honduras and China.
| (US IMPORTS AND EXPORTS) | ||||
| International Trade Statistics | % Chg | Dec | Nov | Dec |
| vs LY | 2011 | 2011 | 2010 | |
| Total US Imports | 10.5 | 186,230 | 192,488 | 168,544 |
| Total US Exports | 8.7 | 128,252 | 127,604 | 118,013 |
| Total US Deficit | 14.7 | 57,978 | 64,884 | 50,531 |
| Apparel Imports | -0.2 | 6,039 | 6,774 | 6,050 |
| Apparel Exports | 15.6 | 427 | 448 | 369 |
| Apparel Deficit | -1.2 | 5,613 | 6,326 | 5,681 |
| Textile Imports | 6.0 | 1,849 | 2,046 | 1,744 |
| Textile Exports | 1.0 | 906 | 1,014 | 897 |
| Textile Deficit | 11.3 | 943 | 1,032 | 847 |
| App & Text as % of Tot Def | 11.3 | 11.3 | 12.9 | |
