Fact Check: America buys more than it sells.

Fact Check: "America buys more than it sells."

What We Know

The claim that "America buys more than it sells" refers to the balance of trade in goods and services for the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the goods and services deficit for May 2025 was reported at $71.5 billion, which indicates that imports exceeded exports by this amount. In May, U.S. exports totaled $279.0 billion, while imports reached $350.5 billion. This trend of importing more than exporting has been consistent, with a year-to-date increase in the goods and services deficit of $175.0 billion, or 50.4%, compared to the same period in 2024.

The data from April 2025 also supports this claim, showing a goods and services deficit of $61.6 billion, with exports at $289.4 billion and imports at $351.0 billion (source-2). This pattern indicates that the U.S. has been consistently importing more than it exports.

Analysis

The evidence presented from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis is reliable, as these are official government sources that provide comprehensive data on international trade. The consistent reporting of trade deficits across multiple months indicates a stable trend rather than an anomaly. The increase in the deficit from April to May 2025, as well as the year-over-year comparisons, reinforce the assertion that the U.S. is importing more than it exports.

Critically, the sources used are authoritative and widely recognized in economic analysis. The U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis are both reputable institutions that specialize in economic data collection and analysis. Their reports are based on extensive data collection methods and are regularly updated to reflect current economic conditions.

However, it is important to consider the broader context of trade deficits. While a trade deficit can indicate that a country is buying more than it sells, it can also reflect a strong domestic economy where consumers have the purchasing power to buy foreign goods. This perspective is often discussed in economic literature but does not negate the fact that, in absolute terms, the U.S. is currently importing more than it is exporting.

Conclusion

The claim that "America buys more than it sells" is True. The evidence from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis clearly shows that the United States has a trade deficit, with imports consistently exceeding exports. The data from both May and April 2025 supports this assertion, confirming that the U.S. is indeed buying more than it is selling in terms of goods and services.

Fact Check: America buys more than it sells.