003. The U.S. Has Been Operating with a Negative Balance of Trade

After a more than 50 years operating with a positive balance of trade, the U.S. has consistently increased imports of goods of services in excess of exports. With the negative balance of close to half a Trillion $, the trade deficit now accounts for about 6%, which makes negative trade a significant contributor to unfavorable economic performance.

SOURCE: http://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/Trade-Balance