In: Economics
Why do economists believe that the US trade deficit shows the strength of the economy?
The term deficit means gap. Trade deficit is the gap in final balance of payment or balance of trade between two involved nations. When we say trade, we mean export vs imports.
Let's understand it with an example. Suppose a country has good trade relations with neighbouring countires to an extent that it has free trade regulation laws & econmic zone to curb high duties. Now if this country imports goods worth 100 dollars and exports goods worth 80 then clearly there is a deficit of 20 dollars.
This means also the country's economy is consuming more or the consumption cycle is triggered. And when it is triggered it leads to more investment (capital goods), production and further consumption and as a result the ecomony is strengthened. And this is all in respect to US. A strong economy has strong currency.
In short it is good and usually doesn't actually require any federal intervention unless gap is increasing every year.