Oil and natural gas boost trade balance in 2015, says API

The US Commerce Department’s mid year trade report shows that the oil and natural gas industry continues to drive US economic gains in 2015, a trend that could accelerate under free trade policies.

“Despite a very competitive global market, the US energy revolution continues to push our trade balance in a positive direction,” said API Chief Economist John Felmy. “Oil imports remain on the decline, and strong exports of petroleum and refined products are creating new opportunities for America to bring wealth and jobs back to US shores.”

The total US trade deficit peaked at US$762 billion in 2006, prior to the surge in US oil and natural gas production. By 2014, it had dropped to US$508 billion. The US Commerce Department’s report, covering trade data through June 2015, shows that the US trade deficit among petroleum and petroleum products fell by 56.1% compared to the first six months of 2014. That growth helped to hold the total US y/y trade balance steady, despite a 23.1% increase in the trade deficit among non-petroleum products. Due to low commodity prices, the value of US petroleum and petroleum product exports fell by US$20.2 billion, despite high export volumes, but petroleum related imports fell faster, down US$78.6 billion compared to the first six months of 2014.

“Outdated trade policies are among the biggest threats to America’s continued growth right now,” Felmy continued. “Accelerating approval of LNG export terminals and lifting the 1970s era ban on crude oil exports would put America in the driver’s seat on trade. America is now the world’s largest producer of natural gas, providing our workers an important competitive advantage in the global market. And study after study shows that lifting the ban on crude exports will mean more jobs, downward pressure on fuel costs, and could reduce the power that foreign suppliers have over our allies overseas.

“Strong, bipartisan legislation to accelerate America’s growth as an energy superpower is now making its way through both chambers of Congress. We urge members of the House and Senate to make free trade in energy a top priority when they return from their August recess.”

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

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