Contrary to Widespread Myth, Imports Do Not Subtract From GDP

GDP numbers from BEA, chart by Mish

GDP Equation

GDP = private consumption + gross private investment + government investment + government spending + (exports – imports).

That equation causes confusion. It "appears" as if we need to subtract imports, but that's not what's really happening.

Blasting the New York Times 

Jesus Christ, New York Times. What kind of economic journalism is this??

IMPORTS DO NOT SUBTRACT FROM GDP!!!

Imports subtract from exports but they add to consumption!! They're simply neutral for GDP!! pic.twitter.com/NOg3VEmOcy

— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) April 28, 2022

I was asked if Noah was correct. Yes, he is.

It's true. Imports do not subtract from GDP. They are net neutral.

The reason for the subtraction is the word "net".

For example, retail sales erroneously add to GDP because imports are included.

So the BEA subtracts out what should not have been added in the first place.

— Mike "Mish" Shedlock (@MishGEA) April 28, 2022

Key Word is Domestic

In my Tweet I said the reason for the subtraction is the word "net".

Instead, I should have emphasized Gross DOMESTIC Product.  

Imports have nothing to do with "domestic". But it's not exactly easy to subtract imports from retail sales. 

So, the formula subtracts what should not have been counted in the first place.

It's not the imports that matter to GDP but exports. But the balance does add to the trade deficit.

Imports are irrelevant to GDP but the US dollar is worth a discussion.

US Dollar Index 

US dollar chart courtesy of StockCharts.Com

That chart is from yesterday. As I type, the dollar is 103.657 up from 102.96.

US Dollar vs Japanese Yen

(Click on image to enlarge)

US dollar/Yen chart courtesy of StockCharts.Com

That chart is from yesterday. As I type, the Yen fell to 130.87. In this currency pair, a rising chart represents a sinking currency.

A year ago it took 109 Yen to buy a dollar. Now it takes 131. That's a 16.8 percent decline in a year.

A strong dollar makes US exports expensive and imports cheap.

I am surprised the Biden administration is not moaning loudly about the plunging Yen and euro causing huge trade deficits.

Investigating a Shocking Increase in the Trade Deficit and Economists' Blown Forecasts

Balance of Trade data from Census Department, chart by Mish

The US registered its biggest goods trade deficit in history, by far. 

For discussion, please see Investigating a Shocking Increase in the Trade Deficit and Economists' Blown Forecasts

For discussion of the GDP, please see GDP Declines 1.4% in First Quarter of 2022 Sounding Recession Bells

Hopefully this ties all the pieces together. The only thing missing is Biden administration whining about the strong dollar.