<P> The US last had a trade surplus in 1975 . However , recessions may cause short - run anomalies to rising trade deficits . The balance of trade in the United States has been a concern among economists and business people . Warren Buffett , founder of Berkshire Hathaway , was quoted in the Associated Press ( January 20 , 2006 ) as saying `` The U.S. trade deficit is a bigger threat to the domestic economy than either the federal budget deficit or consumer debt and could lead to political turmoil ... Right now , the rest of the world owns $3 trillion more of us than we own of them . '' </P>
<P> The US last had a trade surplus in 1975 . However , recessions may cause short - run anomalies to rising trade deficits . The balance of trade in the United States has been a concern among economists and business people . Warren Buffett , founder of Berkshire Hathaway , was quoted in the Associated Press ( January 20 , 2006 ) as saying `` The U.S. trade deficit is a bigger threat to the domestic economy than either the federal budget deficit or consumer debt and could lead to political turmoil ... Right now , the rest of the world owns $3 trillion more of us than we own of them . '' </P>
when did the united states surplus in international trade end
when did the united states surplus in international trade end
in 1975
in 1975