[20030403]98-536C_美国商品贸易数据：1948-2002.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-536 CUpdated April 3, 2003U.S. Merchandise Trade Data: 1948-2002J. Michael DonnellyInformation Research SpecialistInformation Research DivisionSummaryU.S. merchandise trade has fluctuated in the value of both exports and importsfrom the end of World War II to 2000. The year 2001 appears to be a benchmark in thatboth exports and imports declined markedly in value. In 2002, imports increased whileexports decreased again. Merchandise trade statistics provide a continuous series tomeasure that growth in trade. Official annual trade statistics of the U.S. Department ofCommerce, provided here, show that this U.S. export decline and import increaseresulted in the largest annual merchandise trade deficit in U.S. history. For the 54 yearsbetween 1948 and 2002, merchandise exports grew by 54 times, and merchandiseimports grew by 163 times. U.S. merchandise imports exceeded $1 trillion for the firsttime in 1999 and remained above $1 trillion through 2002. During this full period, theU.S. merchandise trade balance was in surplus between 1948 and 1970. The first U.S.postwar def