CPA Annual Global Imbalances Report: U.S. remains the leading deficit country absorbing the surpluses of China, Japan and Germany

Key Points Global current account imbalances (consisting mostly of trade) increased in 2021, the most recent data available. As a percentage of world GDP, total imbalances reached 3.6%, equivalent to $3.3 trillion. Imbalances have worsened during the pandemic and the post-pandemic period, driven by rising goods trade flows, mainly from Asia to North America. Persistent…