Question

In recent decades, has the U.S. trade balance usually been in deficit, surplus, or balanced?

Short answer

In recent decades, the U.S. trade balance has usually been in deficit. This means that the country has consistently imported more goods and services than it has exported.

Step-by-step solution

Define Trade Balance

A trade balance is the difference between a country's imports and exports. A trade deficit occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports, while a trade surplus occurs when a country's exports exceed its imports. If both imports and exports are equal, the trade situation is considered balanced.

Collect Trade Data

To evaluate the U.S. trade balance, we need to gather data on imports and exports for recent decades. One resource for finding this data is the U.S. Census Bureau, which provides trade statistics at the following link: [https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/historical/index.html](https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/historical/index.html)

Analyze Trade Data

After collecting the data on U.S. imports and exports, we need to compare the values to determine the type of trade balance. If exports exceed imports, the trade balance will be a surplus; if imports exceed exports, the balance will be a deficit; if both are equal, it will be balanced.

Determine the U.S. Trade Balance

According to the trade data, the U.S. has consistently experienced a trade deficit in recent decades. This means that the country has been importing more than it exports, resulting in a negative trade balance.

Conclusion

In recent decades, the U.S. trade balance has usually been in deficit, meaning that the country has consistently imported more goods and services than it has exported.