U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES:  FEBRUARY 1995 

IMPORTANT:  This release contains sensitive economic data not to be 
            released before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday

April 19, 1995.
CB-95-78Press Copy
FT-900 (95-02)

For information on goods contact: Bureau of the Census:
Haydn R. Mearkle(301) 457-2246 
Richard M. Preuss(301) 457-2311

For information on services contact: Bureau of Economic Analysis:
Media: Larry Moran (202) 606-2649 
Technical: Christopher Bach(202) 606-9545

U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES February 1995

The Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the 
Department of Commerce, announced today that total February exports of 
$62.4 billion and imports of $71.4 billion resulted in a goods and 
services trade deficit of $9.0 billion, $2.9 billion less than the $12.0 
billion of January, revised.  February exports were $1.5 billion more than 
January exports of $61.0 billion.  February imports were $1.5 billion less 
than January imports of $72.9 billion.  
 
In February, the goods deficit decreased to $14.2 billion from $16.9 
billion in January, and the services surplus increased to $5.2 billion 
from $4.9 billion.  Exports of goods increased to $45.5 billion from $44.3 
billion, and imports of goods decreased to $59.7 billion from $61.2 
billion.  Exports of services increased to $16.9 billion from $16.7 
billion, and imports of services of $11.8 billion were virtually the same 
as in January.

The January to February change in the exports of goods reflected increases 
in capital goods of $0.9 billion (primarily civilian aircraft and 
telecommunications equipment), industrial supplies and materials ($0.4 
billion), consumer goods ($0.3 billion), and  foods, feeds, and beverages 
($0.2 billion); there were decreases in other goods of $0.3 billion and 
automotive vehicles, parts and engines ($0.2 billion).

The January to February change in the imports of goods reflected decreases 
in capital goods of $0.4 billion (such as computer accessories and
semiconductors), automotive vehicles, parts and engines ($0.4 billion), 
consumer goods ($0.4 billion), industrial supplies and materials ($0.2 
billion), and other goods ($0.1 billion); foods, feeds, and beverages were 
virtually unchanged.

For the three months ending in February, exports of goods and services, 
using a centered three month moving average, were $62.3 billion, while 
imports of goods and services averaged $71.7 billion, resulting in an
average trade deficit of $9.4 billion.  For the three months ending in 
January, the average trade deficit was $9.6 billion, reflecting average 
exports of $62.2 billion and average imports of $71.8 billion.

All services exports categories changed little from January to February.

All services imports categories changed little from January to February.


Selected Not Seasonally Adjusted Goods Details 

Advanced technology products (ATP) exports were $10.1 billion for February 
and imports were $8.3 billion, resulting in a surplus of $1.9 billion, 
$1.2 billion more than the January surplus of $0.7 billion.  February
exports were $0.9 billion more than the $9.2 billion of January, while 
imports were $0.3 billion less than the $8.5 billion of January.

The February figures showed surpluses in billions of dollars with 
Australia $0.6 (for January, $0.5), Korea $0.5 (-$0.2), Hong Kong $0.4 
($0.1), Brazil $0.3 (virtually 0), Argentina $0.2 ($0.3), Egypt $0.2 
($0.1), and Singapore $0.1 (-$0.4); Deficits were recorded in billions of 
dollars with Japan -$4.7 ($-4.9), China -$1.9 (-$2.7), Canada -$1.5 
(-$1.4), OPEC -$1.3 (-$0.8), Mexico -$1.3 (-$0.9), Taiwan $-0.4 (-$1.0), 
and Western Europe -$0.3 (-$1.3).  
  
Carry-over in February was $0.6 billion (1.3 percent) for exports and $0.3 
billion (0.5 percent) for imports.  For January, revised exports 
carry-over was virtually zero, revised down from $0.2 billion 
(0.5 percent).  For January, revised imports carry-over was $0.2 billion 
(0.3 percent), revised down from $0.4 billion (0.7 percent).

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Note:  Total goods are reported on a balance of payments basis; commodity 
       and country detail for goods are on a Census basis.  Definitions 
       are explained in the notes (explain) starting on page 25 of this 
       release.


SOURCE: Report FT900 (CB-95-78), Bureau of the Census, Foreign Trade
        Division, FEBRUARY 1995.  For more information, contact Haydn R. 
        Mearkle (301-457-2246) or Richard M. Preuss (301-457-2311), 
        Foreign Trade Division.