<P> The World Factbook, a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency that collects data and publishes online open reports comparing the current account balance of countries . According to The World Factbook, "(c) urrent account balance compares a country's net trade in goods and services, plus net earnings, and net transfer payments to and from the rest of the world during the period specified . These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis ." The top ten on their list of countries by current account balance in 2014 were Germany #1 with $286,400,000,000, China #2 with $219,700,000,000, Netherlands #3 with $90,160,000,000, South Korea #4 with $89,220,000,000, Saudi Arabia #5 with $76,920,000,000, Taiwan #6 with $65,420,000,000, Russia #7 with $59,460,000,000, Singapore #8 with $58,770,000,000, Qatar #9 with $54,840,000,000 and the United Arab Emirates #10 with $54,630,000,000 . </P> <P> On the same list the bottom ten countries by current account balance in 2014 were Mexico #185 at - $24,980,000,000, Indonesia #186 at - $26,230,000,000, France #187 at - $26,240,000,000, India #188 at - $27,530,000,000, European Union #189 at - $34,490,000,000 (2011 est), Canada #190 - $37,500,000,000, Australia #191 at - $43,750,000,000, Turkey #192 at - $46,530,000,000, Brazil #193 at - $103,600,000,000, United Kingdom #194 at - $173,900,000,000, United States #195 at - $389,500,000,000 . </P> <P> In a 2012 article published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the authors argue that a current account deficit with higher investments and lower savings may indicate that the economy of a country is highly productive and growing . If there is an excess of imports over exports there may be problems in terms of competitiveness . Low savings and high investment can also be caused by a "reckless fiscal policy or a consumption binge ." China's financial system favors the accumulation of large surpluses while the United States carries "large and persistent current account deficits" which has created a trade imbalance . </P> <P> The authors note that, </P>

A debit item on the u. s. balance of payments is any transaction that