Belgium’s US Imports Drop Sharply as Exports Rise, Confounding Patterns

Belgium’s goods imports from the United States fell dramatically over three months. During May to July, Belgium’s total American imports dropped almost twenty-three percent.

The National Bank’s report revealed exports to America actually increased during same period.

Pharmaceutical products showed the clearest divergence, with opposing trends in import versus export. Belgium imported fewer drugs from the US, while exporting more pharmaceutical products there.

The development runs counter to President Trump’s goal of reducing America’s trade deficit. Eurostat says the European Union’s American exports rose significantly, widening the trade surplus.