The U.S. Census Bureau released its Merchandise Trade data numbers on July 13th for May 2010. The Merchandise Trade balance increased 52.8% over last May and decreased 0.4% from the previous month. Imports grew by 2.0% from April, and gained 33.5% over last year; while exports rose 3.2% from the previous month and increased 25.9% over May 2009.

Below is an in-depth breakdown of the U.S. Census Merchandise Trade data released last week. This month we have highlighted 5 interesting items that we found while looking at May's data; here are the highlights:

1. China Rising on the Back of American Consumers
2. Exports are Up, but to Whom?
3. Shrimp Imports Show Signs of the Gulf Oil Spill
4. Canada’s Trade Well Positioned
5. Where Does All of this Gold Come from?
   

Click here for Zepol's U.S. Census Merchandise Trade Data Update for May 2010