Director’s Message
In this issue, we are pleased to present a preview of the 2019 annual updates to the U.S. international transactions accounts (ITAs) and the U.S. international investment position accounts, to be released in June. As usual, the updates will incorporate newly available and revised source data. The preview discusses two new standard tables to be introduced with the ITA release in September 2019: (1) geographical detail by type of transaction and (2) annual trade in goods and services with expanded country and geographic area detail. Several improvements to the standard table presentations for the international economic accounts are also discussed.
Separate international articles cover U.S. international transactions and the U.S. net international investment position for the fourth quarter of 2018 and for the full year 2018.
This month’s “GDP and the Economy” article takes a look at the third estimate of gross domestic product for the fourth quarter of 2018. Government receipts and expenditures for the same quarter are discussed separately.
Last, we welcome Mary Bohman, who will serve as the new Deputy Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Prior to joining BEA, Mary served more than 20 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, leaving her mark on research involving international trade, farm competitiveness, and data-driven policymaking. Mary’s long track record of public-sector leadership, her deep roots in economic research, and her commitment to strengthening federal research and statistics are qualities that will serve the Bureau well.
