Again, via economist Mark. J. Perry:
Another important historic economic milestone based on today’s BEA report on US international trade in November – the total monthly volume of trade in November at $451 billion (not adjusted for inflation) was a new monthly record for US international trade activity. Separately, both exports ($200.2 billion) and imports ($250.7 billion) in November also established new record highs. Why is this important? As Dan Griswold explained back in 2011 (my emphasis):
Politicians and commentators love to focus on the trade deficit, as though it were a scorecard of who is winning in global trade, but the real measure is the total volume of trade. As economies expand, so does trade, both imports and exports. Exports help us reach new markets and expand economies of scale, while imports bless consumers with lower prices and more choices, while stoking competition, innovation, and efficiency gains among producers.