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Exports, Imports and Trade Balance

Key Trends

• The overall U.S. trade deficit in energy-related products increased by 15 percent to $280.2 billion, primarily because of increasing prices for crude petroleum, which is the feedstock for the production of refined petroleum products. While the value of energy-related products increased, the quantity of natural gas imported remained level while the quantity of crude petroleum imported declined.
• The energy-related products with the largest year-to-year shifts, in terms of value, included increased U.S. exports of petroleum products and increased imports of crude petroleum and petroleum products.
• Exports of petroleum products increased by 44 percent to $26.4 billion as a result of the rise in the average per barrel price for crude petroleum on the world market.
• Imports of crude petroleum increased by 25 percent to $171.2 billion and imports of petroleum products increased by 15 percent to $89.4 billion. The increases were a result of increasing prices, as the quantities imported actually declined.

Trade Shifts in 2006 from 2005

• U.S. trade deficit: Increased $36.9 billion (15 percent) to $280.2 billion
• U.S. exports: Increased $9.1billion (31 percent) to $39.0 billion
• U.S. imports: Increased $46.0 billion (17 percent) to $319.2 billion

OTHER GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

Energy Information Administration

2006 Overview

Sector Shifts

Country Shifts

Frequently Asked Questions