WASHINGTON—The rubber product trade deficit for the first three quarters of 2015 rose 4.2 percent, as trade volume for the period was down somewhat.
The shortfall for the period was $9.59 billion, compared with $9.2 billion for the like period in 2014, according to data from the U.S. Commerce Department. Exports dropped 6 percent for the nine months to $7.69 billion, while imports were down 0.6 percent to $988.4 million.
For September, the trade deficit actually dropped 3.9 percent to $1.03 billion, with exports off 8.5 percent and imports down 6 percent.
Looking at individual product segments:
• the deficit for tires and related products increased 1.6 percent through three quarters to $6.94 billion, but dropped 6.3 percent in September to $670.4 million;
• the trade shortfall for miscellaneous hard rubber goods climbed 18.6 percent to $868 million for the year, and 3.4 percent on the month to $78.4 million;
• the hose and tubing deficit declined 21.2 percent through three quarters to $224.7 million and dropped 19.7 percent on the month to $20.8 million; and
• the belting shortfall fell 5.9 percent for the year to $135.9 million and decreased 16.1 percent in September to $16.5 million.
On the supply side, the trade surplus for the three quarters jumped 51.7 percent to $888.5 million and grew 8.4 percent for the month to $87.6 million.