Supply Chain Research

The U.S. government’s trade data reporting schedule finally returns to normal on May 3 with advance figures for March. Analysis of eight major seaports indicates a return to growth in U.S. international trade with a 5.2% increase year over year compared to an 8.1% contraction in February. Exports from the ports climbed just 3.8%, lagging a 6.3% improvement in imports that was likely the result of normalized trade patterns with China. The export underperformance suggests that the decline in the U.S. trade deficit seen in February may prove to be a one-off.