The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has issued the following news release today:

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in December 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $50.3 billion in November (revised) to $59.8 billion in December, as imports increased and exports decreased. The previously published November deficit was $49.3 billion. The goods deficit increased $9.0 billion in December to $81.5 billion. The services surplus decreased $0.5 billion in December to $21.8 billion.