The following is from the 13 July 2011 edition of the “American Shipper”. 

The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday reported the country’s exports of goods and services in May decreased 0.5 percent from April to $174.9 billion.

U.S. imports of goods and services increased 2.6 percent over this period to $225.1 billion, causing the U.S. trade deficit to increase 15.1 percent since April to reach $50.2 billion in May.

“While exports dipped slightly in May, exports have been growing at a strong pace overall in the first five months of 2011, up 16.4 percent compared to the same period last year,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, in a statement. “We’re making progress but we still have a way to go.”

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