Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on International Trade in Goods and Services in September 2015

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued the following statement today on the release of the September 2015 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services data. U.S. exports of goods and services increased to $187.9 billion in September from $184.9 billion in August. The total trade deficit improved by 15 percent in September to $40.8 billion. Exports of total services were a record, reaching $60.6 billion for the month. Within services, several sectors also reached monthly record-highs: telecommunications, computers, and information services; insurance services; and other business services.

“Today’s trade data reflect continued global demand for American goods and services,” said Secretary Pritzker. “To ensure that more U.S. firms can sell to the 95 percent of consumers who live overseas, our Administration is committed to expanding access to some of the fastest-growing markets in the world through new trade agreements. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will enable U.S. businesses to compete on a level playing field by eliminating more than 18,000 tariffs on ‘Made-in-America’ products sold overseas while upholding high standards on labor, the environment, and the digital economy. With this transformational trade agreement, we can expand U.S. exports, support even more high-paying American jobs, and strengthen the hand of American workers in the global economy.”