Rubber product deficit rises in November 1999

WASHINGTON (Feb. 23)—The 1999 U.S. rubber product trade deficit continued to climb during the month of November, buoyed by large increases in the passenger and truck tire categories. The deficit was $295.7 million during November, up 61.1 percent from $183.6 million in the like period a year earlier, according to U.S. Department of Commerce figures. Through 11 months of 1999, the deficit was $2.67 billion, a 36.3-percent increase on the $1.96 billion posted in 1998. The figures were influenced greatly by the weak economies abroad, especially in Southeast Asia.