National

Total U.S. imports have risen in August after 10 straight months of declines, data from S&P Global shows, with U.S. imports by sea growing by 7% year over year in the first 15 days of the month.

Details: Imports from China surged 14.3% higher year over year in the first half of August after increasing by 4.3% in July, per Panjiva, the supply chain research unit of S&P Global Market Intelligence. Exports from the EU rose by 7.5% after falling 13.9% in July. Growth was not universal with shipments from Asia, excluding China, down by 4.6% due to a continued decline in imports from Japan.

U.S. imports jump in August, especially from China

Imports by sea grew 7% year over year in the first 15 days.

Illustration of a shipment container being held up by a frayed rope. 

Business

Imports

China

Total U.S. imports have risen in August after 10 straight months of declines, data from S&amp;P Global shows, with U.S. imports by sea growing by 7% year over year in the first 15 days of the month.Details: Imports from China surged 14.3% higher year over year in the first half of August after increasing by 4.3% in July, per Panjiva, the supply chain research unit of S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence. Exports from the EU rose by 7.5% after falling 13.9% in July. Growth was not universal with shipments from Asia, excluding China, down by 4.6% due to a continued decline in imports from Japan.

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

U.S. imports jump in August, especially from China

Go deeper