Excessive external trade deficits

Incidence 
[Industrialized countries] The USA's trade deficit in 1986 was over US$170 billion making it the largest debtor nation in the world. In June 1989, the United Kingdom's trade deficit widened to US$3.1 billion. In 1989 the former Soviet Union recorded a trade deficit of £3.35 billion.

[Developing countries] Developing countries' efforts to reduce their trade deficits took place in an environment in which the prices of the majority of primary commodities had moved against them since the late 1970s.

Broader 
External national budget deficit
Imbalance in international trade patterns
Aggravates 
External debt crisis [in 3 loops]
Decline in import capacity [in 8 loops]
Organizational empire-building
Deterioration in external financial position of countries [in 24 loops]
Aggravated by 
Economic conflict
Obstacles to world trade
Restrictive trade practices
Restricted growth in export markets
Instability of the commodities trade
Instability of trade in manufactured goods
Weakness in trade among developing countries
Reduced by 
Large trade surpluses
Preoccupation with reciprocity in trading relations
Strategy(ies) 
Balancing payments
Value(s) 
Deficit
Excess
Type 
(D) Detailed problems