The U.S. Census Bureau released their Merchandise Trade data numbers on August 12th, 2009. The Merchandise Trade deficit increased 22% from May to $40.2 billion in June (click here to see May's U.S. Census data update). This increase brings the deficit to $217 billion for the year. However, the U.S. deficit is still down 45% from the same period in 2008 and while a 22% increase seems like a large spike, $40.2 billion is only 11.6% above the average month for the year; January 2009 topped out at $43.8 billion.

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 June's data; here are the hightlights:

1. The volume of trade for the top U.S. trading partners is up, but value is down
2. Trade of grain has decreased
3. The price of medication exports is up
   
4. Tobacco product imports are up
5. Imports of cars were only slightly up in June

Click here for Zepol’s U.S. Census Merchandise Trade Data Update for June 2009