Trade Surplus

Now imagine if Shane Victorino was actually coming off an impressive year. Seems it was impressive enough for the Boston Red Sox, who Tuesday actually signed the 32-year-old outfielder for three years and $39 million. That's a lot of money for a guy coming off a down year. Ah, Shane, the Dodgers hardly knew you. Victorino was one of the Dodgers new owners' first moves last summer, coming over from the Philadelphia Phillies at the July 31 trading deadline to end the parade of left fielders and give the Dodgers a proven leadoff hitter.

In the clean energy market, the U.S. trumped China. At least in 2011. U.S. firms held a $1.63-billion surplus in the clean energy trade over China, according to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts. That surplus was for 2011, the latest year data is available. It was a rare bright spot in a relationship that had the overall U.S. trade deficit with China hitting $315 billion last year. Phyllis Cuttino, director of Pew's clean energy program, said the findings highlight the long-term potential for the U.S. to hold its top spot in the clean energy sector.

The Dodgers expect Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly to be ready for spring training, a team official said Tuesday, which could make the team an active participant in the trade market. As the price of starting pitching soars -- Dan Haren agreed to a one-year, $13-million contract Tuesday to be the fourth starter for the Washington Nationals -- the Dodgers could dangle Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang as affordable alternatives. Capuano is signed for $6 million next season and Harang for $7 million.

The Dodgers expect Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly to be ready for spring training, a team official said Tuesday, which could make the team an active participant in the trade market. As the price of starting pitching soars -- Dan Haren agreed to a one-year, $13-million contract Tuesday to be the fourth starter for the Washington Nationals -- the Dodgers could dangle Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang as affordable alternatives. Capuano is signed for $6 million next season and Harang for $7 million.

In the clean energy market, the U.S. trumped China. At least in 2011. U.S. firms held a $1.63-billion surplus in the clean energy trade over China, according to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts. That surplus was for 2011, the latest year data is available. It was a rare bright spot in a relationship that had the overall U.S. trade deficit with China hitting $315 billion last year. Phyllis Cuttino, director of Pew's clean energy program, said the findings highlight the long-term potential for the U.S. to hold its top spot in the clean energy sector.

Japan's trade surplus expanded again in May to a new monthly record, a government report said today. The report, released by the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Japan, said the merchandise trade surplus hit a record $8.3 billion in May despite the yen's appreciation, which has made Japanese products more expensive.

Japan logged another record trade surplus with the United States last month, ensuring that friction with its biggest trading partner will continue. The Japanese government said today that its trade surplus with the United States in October was $5 billion, climbing above a previous high of $4.83 billion in September. October's surplus was up 24.2% from the same month last year.

It was the first drop in two years and two months, the government said. The Finance Ministry announced a trade surplus of $6.409 billion in May, down from $7.533 billion in May, 1986, and $7.565 billion last April. It was the first year-on-year drop since March, 1985, when the trade surplus slipped to $3.170 billion from $3.195 billion in March, 1984.

Now imagine if Shane Victorino was actually coming off an impressive year. Seems it was impressive enough for the Boston Red Sox, who Tuesday actually signed the 32-year-old outfielder for three years and $39 million. That's a lot of money for a guy coming off a down year. Ah, Shane, the Dodgers hardly knew you. Victorino was one of the Dodgers new owners' first moves last summer, coming over from the Philadelphia Phillies at the July 31 trading deadline to end the parade of left fielders and give the Dodgers a proven leadoff hitter.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. current account trade deficit decreased more than 12% to $117.4 billion from April through June as exports increased along with money flowing into the country from foreign investments, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The current account figure — a comprehensive gauge that includes trade in goods and services, as well as income and government transfers — came in below analysts' expectations. The deficit for the first quarter was a revised $133.6 billion.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. current account trade deficit decreased more than 12% to $117.4 billion from April through June as exports increased along with money flowing into the country from foreign investments, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The current account figure -- a comprehensive gauge that includes trade in goods and services, as well as income and government transfers -- came in below analysts' expectations. The deficit for the first quarter of the year was a revised $133.6 billion.

BEIJING — Chinese trade weakened dramatically in July, heightening fears that the world's second-largest economy has yet to rebound from its worst slowdown in years. Experts said expectations needed to be diminished about China's ability to lead the world out of its financial difficulties. Chinese exports rose a paltry 1% last month from a year earlier, down from an 11.3% increase in June. Meanwhile, imports grew 4.7% in July, down from 6.3% in the previous month. China's trade surplus sank to $25.1 billion in July from $31.7 billion in June.

For all the growth in domestic manufacturing and exports, the ballooning U.S. trade deficit continues to be a thorn in the side of the U.S. economy. The Commerce Department said Thursday that the nation's trade deficit widened to a larger-than-expected $51.8 billion in March, up from $45.4 billion in February. The U.S. posted record exports of $186.8 billion in March, but imports also hit a new monthly high of $238.6 billion. Unlike in recent months, the jump in the deficit wasn't mostly because of higher oil imports.

Chinese imports and exports fell in January, the first declines in two years and a potential reflection of worsening economic conditions at home and abroad. Official trade data released Friday showed imports falling 15.3% from a year earlier and exports retreating 0.5%. The nation's trade surplus rose to a six-month high of $27.3 billion. Though the weeklong lunar New Year holiday accounted for some of the slowing, the plunge in imports reflected a weakening property sector and a scaling back of infrastructure building.

Inflation in China hit a 15-month low in December but still remained stubbornly high at a time when policymakers are bracing for a slowdown in the world's second largest economy. The nation's broad measure of consumer prices grew 4.1% last month from a year earlier. That's down slightly from the year-over-year growth of 4.2% registered in November. For the full year, inflation increased by 5.4% in 2011, well above the government target of 4%. The central government is hesitant to loosen monetary policy for fear of worsening inflation, even in the face of an economic slowdown.