US trade deficit shrinks as exports reach record high

[EnglishLady]

BBC News


Exports of US goods and services rose to a record $175.6bn (£107bn) in April, helping to shrink its trade deficit.

Data from the Commerce Department showed the gap between imports and exports fell by 6.7% to $43.7bn as manufacturers shipped more items such as computers.

A fall in imports also helped narrow the gap, although that reflected supply problems caused by Japan's earthquake.

The trade gap so far this year is still 10% higher than last year.

Exports rose 1.3%, while imports dipped 0.4% to $219.2bn.

Imports from Japan fell by 25.5%, although these are expected to recover over the months as Japanese factories and infrastructure is rebuilt.

Analysts expect the trade gap to widen slightly over the year.

The politically-sensitive deficit with China widened by almost 20% to $21.6bn.

Slow growth

The trade figures are a relatively bright spot amid other recent US economic data.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve's "beige book" survey reported that growth had appeared to slow in several regions in May, with the manufacturing sector notably sluggish after the disruption caused by Japan's earthquake had interrupted production of a number of components.

Last week, figures showed US employment growth slowed sharply in May, with only 54,000 net new jobs added during the month. Markets had expected a rise of 150,000.

The chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, said this week that growth had been slower than expected this year, but that it would pick up in the coming months.

 

[chefdennis]

LOL..

1st, once Japan starts exporting again (late july or aug) this "blimp" will disappear in a heartbeat...

from the article:

A fall in imports also helped narrow the gap, although that reflected supply problems caused by Japan's earthquake.

The trade gap so far this year is still 10% higher than last year.

Exports rose 1.3%, while imports dipped 0.4% to $219.2bn.

Imports from Japan fell by 25.5%, although these are expected to recover over the months as Japanese factories and infrastructure is rebuilt.

2nd, as the dollar move up and down in value because of our own creation, printing of wothless dollars driving it down, exports go up because foreign currecies buy more because they are worth more against a weak dollar...just more BS....in an elsction cycle from a admin that has never stopped campaigning...

 

[greg334]

The chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, said this week that growth had been slower than expected this year, but that it would pick up in the coming months.
Didn't he say this last year?

 

[EnglishLady]

With all the doom & gloom around everyone, this was meant to make you feel happy (happier? )

ROFL

 

[Ragman]

With all the doom & gloom around everyone, this was meant to make you feel happy (happier? )

ROFL

EO members in the Soapbox feeling happy?

Bwahahahaha!

 

[chefdennis]

OOOHHH Believe me I am happy as can be....I bsaid 2.5 trs ago I hoped obama failed...and he is doing a great job of doing exactly that...as he continues to screw over our country and economy...while I hate what he is doing, I smile at his failures....it is just my hope that the damage he has done by the time he is gone isn't beyond repair....

But believe me, I couldn't be happier....

 

[greg334]

What makes you happier, a president who can't spend a dime of money and who can't create laws out of thin air fail or a congress who is more worried about getting reelected and doing nothing to actually fix problems we face?

I would venture to guess that people who only focus on the president need to learn how to participate in our government.

I look at the idea that Obama is so important that he can singlehandedly ruin the country the same as the idea that bush is a child in a mans body running the country. It takes more than a guy in the WH to bring down the country, it takes a lethargic and distracted populous to allow it to happen and that is what we have right now today because of the hatred of one man - the guy in the WH.

 

[chefdennis]

Greg it is about nothing more then barry failing and being removed from office..all about the agenda..nothong else at all..beyond that. i couldn't care any less and yes I understand how the government works...

 

[greg334]

Well Dennis, I wasn't really saying you, I was using your post as a jumping off point.

With that said, we live in a country where hatred drives people, you can't deny that. Once it was hatred for Bush and his administration and now it is hatred for Obama and his administration - sometimes it is the same people doing the hating. The problem is that we are divided and stupid because we allow ourselves as a country to be divided and nothing gets done. Even if Obama is a complete failure, the focus shouldn't be on him. He sets the policy of the country to a point, he has to still answer to the congress who answer to the people but as I have made the comment in an other thread, we are watching stupid behavior unfold by a congressman because as a nation we want to see people be miserable but ignore important things and than act miserable when something is not done to our liking.

I've said this before and it applies to many in this country, we need to grow up.

 

[witness23]

But the President is such an easy target, especially this one(you know what I mean). Typical laziness of Obama bashers of today and those who have bashed Presidents in the past, they go after the low hanging fruit because its easier.

 

[layoutshooter]

But the President is such an easy target, especially this one(you know what I mean). Typical laziness of Obama bashers of today and those who have bashed Presidents in the past, they go after the low hanging fruit because its easier.

It is not that the presidents are easy targets, although they have been for a very long time. It is that they represent and are the most visable figure out there.

The problem is that THEY put themselves out there as the one in total control. Most could not lead their way out of a wet paper bag, this one is worse than most in that regard.

They, as a group, do not provide direction or leadership.

They, as is congress, is always in a "campaign sound bite mode" looking only to get reelected and nothing else.

They campaign on fear. They point out problems as opposed to taking on a challenge. A challenge is a GOOD thing.

They also, this one more than most, believe that only government can solve any of the "massive problems" that we face when in reality, government is, for the most part, the CAUSE of all of our problems.

I don't believe that people are as lazy as you suggest, I believe that they are just plain fed up and disgusted with the entire political process. For good reason.

The very idea that less than 600 people can tackle a challenge better than more than 300 million is absurd.

Government needs to get out of the way and let the People do what they do best.

When government preaches and teaches that "they" are the solution and that the people should be "dependent" on their benevolence, look out, that is the biggest "red flag" of all.

 

[garyatk]

It really is simple. Stop voting for Democrats and Republicans!

 

[greg334]

It is not that the presidents are easy targets, although they have been for a very long time. It is that they represent and are the most visable figure out there.

Sorry Layout, your statement about visibility proves my point. If we are so dumb to look at the president as the most visible while ignoring those who we directly elect, we deserve what we get.

I see even here a defensive posture from those who complain about how bad it is then when it comes to voting the opposition out, the "My Guy Isn't the Problem" syndrome pops up while they complain about things that are of no importance or that they don't hold their "guy" accountable for.

Like the Wiener thing, it isn't up to the democrats or republicans or anyone else outside of his district who have the 'right' to complain about his behavior OUTSIDE of congress because he is representing them. If they don't like it, they can push to have him resign but the pandering to the media and the defusing the republicans by the democrats is all a bunch of BS. We don't seem to complain about the republicans who seem to be sitting on their hands in order to force a negotiation. It surely wasn't the case with the house leadership pushing for a budget "deal" to get it passed in order to "avoid" a government shutdown - the people were not happy about this at all.

 

[layoutshooter]

Sorry Layout, your statement about visibility proves my point. If we are so dumb to look at the president as the most visible while ignoring those who we directly elect, we deserve what we get.

I see even here a defensive posture from those who complain about how bad it is then when it comes to voting the opposition out, the "My Guy Isn't the Problem" syndrome pops up while they complain about things that are of no importance or that they don't hold their "guy" accountable for.

Like the Wiener thing, it isn't up to the democrats or republicans or anyone else outside of his district who have the 'right' to complain about his behavior OUTSIDE of congress because he is representing them. If they don't like it, they can push to have him resign but the pandering to the media and the defusing the republicans by the democrats is all a bunch of BS. We don't seem to complain about the republicans who seem to be sitting on their hands in order to force a negotiation. It surely wasn't the case with the house leadership pushing for a budget "deal" to get it passed in order to "avoid" a government shutdown - the people were not happy about this at all.

Hey, I don't like ANY of them!!

I know who SHOULD be doing what. The congress has long been the problem and will continue to be so as long as we allow it.

A "GOOD" president would be able to "change the mood" so to speak. We have NOT had one of those in my adult lifetime and maybe not in my lifetime at all.

A "GOOD" president could and would inspire the PEOPLE to solve the problems and NOT encourage dependence on government.

Any politician that touts government programs as a solution to any challenge cannot be trusted. That politician is out to control and is arrogant to begin with.

 

[witness23]

Sorry Layout, your statement about visibility proves my point. If we are so dumb to look at the president as the most visible while ignoring those who we directly elect, we deserve what we get.

I see even here a defensive posture from those who complain about how bad it is then when it comes to voting the opposition out, the "My Guy Isn't the Problem" syndrome pops up while they complain about things that are of no importance or that they don't hold their "guy" accountable for.

Like the Wiener thing, it isn't up to the democrats or republicans or anyone else outside of his district who have the 'right' to complain about his behavior OUTSIDE of congress because he is representing them. If they don't like it, they can push to have him resign but the pandering to the media and the defusing the republicans by the democrats is all a bunch of BS. We don't seem to complain about the republicans who seem to be sitting on their hands in order to force a negotiation. It surely wasn't the case with the house leadership pushing for a budget "deal" to get it passed in order to "avoid" a government shutdown - the people were not happy about this at all.

Great post greg. Here's the thing, you are speaking like a true independent, unfortunatley you are speaking a language that very few in the Soapbox understand. Because most that participate in here are not of the Indepenent pursasion. They feed on the hate and fear that politicians and the media use so well. The politicians use it to get re-elected and the media use it to make money. It really is that simple. Like you said, and I cannot agree with you more, "we deserve what we get". Similar to my sig-line(or whatever its called), "Our politics are a reflection of our personal ethics. The politicians and media are only giving you what you want. In my opinion, that would be "Tabloid" jounalism and politics.

Try this. Since the Weiner story is pretty similar to the Republican Rep.(NY) Christopher Lee story, do a search for his name in the EO Soapbox. Guess what, nothing comes up. See what I'm getting at?

 

[layoutshooter]

That is only ONE example. Both sides of the "dirt" are posted in here all the time.

What amazes me is that people support scum from EITHER party. No standards any more. We should be ashamed.

 

[greg334]

Well Layout, when the "scum" support causes that people feel are their own, they overlook the behavior or the damage those scum do to the country. I don't like my senators and I have told them even though one has supported one of my causes in the past. I take things personal because they are to me and hold them accountable for their actions and words but I expect those who complain the most to also do the same thing every opportunity they get without exception.

 

[layoutshooter]

Well Layout, when the "scum" support causes that people feel are their own, they overlook the behavior or the damage those scum do to the country. I don't like my senators and I have told them.

As have I. I don't like my congressman either and have told him and voted against all of them. Not that it does any good. The UAW/Steelworkers and Teamsters control the politics.

I can only hope when they redistrict that our area that my area is taken from Dingell and giving to someone worth a diddily.