The US trade deficit widened to $88.6 billion in July 2026, marking the largest gap since March 2025, compared with a $71.1 billion shortfall in June and market expectations of a $90 billion deficit. Exports declined 2.1% to $310.7 billion, led by lower sales of crude oil (-$4.5 billion) and nonmonetary gold (-$3.9 billion). On the other hand, shipments increased for capital goods ($1.9 billion) and pharmaceutical preparations ($1 billion). Meanwhile, imports rose 2.8% to $399.3 billion, boosted by purchases of computers ($6.9 billion), computer accessories ($6.6 billion) and semiconductors ($1.2 billion) while a fall was seen for crude oil ($-1.8 billion) and charges for the use of intellectual property ($-0.5 billion). The largest gaps were recorded with Mexico ($-27.5 billion), Vietnam ($-23.3 billion) and Taiwan ($-18 billion). The deficit with China was $15.2 billion and the balance with Switzerland shifted from a surplus of $2.9 billion to a deficit of $0.6 billion. source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 88.58 USD Billion in July of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States averaged -19.11 USD Billion from 1950 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 1.95 USD Billion in June of 1975 and a record low of -132.98 USD Billion in March of 2025. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on September of 2026.

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 88.58 USD Billion in July of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States is expected to be -60.00 USD Billion by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Balance of Trade is projected to trend around -40.00 USD Billion in 2027 and -60.00 USD Billion in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-08-04 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jun $-73.3B $-77.6B $-73.0B $ -73.0B
2026-09-03 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jul $-88.6B $-71.2B $-90B $-91.2B
2026-10-06 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Aug $-88.6B



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Exports 310.72 317.34 USD Billion Jul 2026
Goods Exports 199372.00 205407.00 USD Million Jul 2026
Goods Imports 318177.00 306813.00 USD Million Jul 2026
Goods Trade Balance -118800.00 -101410.00 USD Million Jul 2026
Imports 399.30 388.52 USD Billion Jul 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -88.58 -71.18 USD Billion Jul 2026
Current Account -226.83 -221.07 USD Billion Mar 2026


United States Balance of Trade
The United States has recorded persistent trade deficits since 1976, largely reflecting strong demand for imported industrial supplies, capital equipment and consumer goods. In 2025, trade dynamics were significantly shaped by the rollout of new tariffs. Imports climbed to record highs in the first half of the year as businesses accelerated purchases ahead of higher duties. However, import growth slowed sharply toward year-end, suggesting that tariffs were beginning to curb demand. Overall, the US posted a trade deficit of nearly $900 billion in 2025, broadly unchanged from the previous year but still among the largest shortfalls since 1960. The widest bilateral goods deficits were with the European Union ($218.8 billion), particularly Ireland and Germany, followed by China ($202.1 billion), Mexico ($196.9 billion), Vietnam ($178.2 billion), Taiwan ($146.8 billion), Thailand ($71.9 billion), Japan ($63.9 billion), India ($58.2 billion), South Korea ($56.4 billion), Canada ($46.4 billion), Switzerland ($34.3 billion) and Malaysia ($30.8 billion).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-88.58 -71.18 1.95 -132.98 1950 - 2026 USD Billion Monthly
SA

News Stream
US Trade Gap Largest in 16 Months
The US trade deficit widened to $88.6 billion in July 2026, marking the largest gap since March 2025, compared with a $71.1 billion shortfall in June and market expectations of a $90 billion deficit. Exports declined 2.1% to $310.7 billion, led by lower sales of crude oil (-$4.5 billion) and nonmonetary gold (-$3.9 billion). On the other hand, shipments increased for capital goods ($1.9 billion) and pharmaceutical preparations ($1 billion). Meanwhile, imports rose 2.8% to $399.3 billion, boosted by purchases of computers ($6.9 billion), computer accessories ($6.6 billion) and semiconductors ($1.2 billion) while a fall was seen for crude oil ($-1.8 billion) and charges for the use of intellectual property ($-0.5 billion). The largest gaps were recorded with Mexico ($-27.5 billion), Vietnam ($-23.3 billion) and Taiwan ($-18 billion). The deficit with China was $15.2 billion and the balance with Switzerland shifted from a surplus of $2.9 billion to a deficit of $0.6 billion.
2026-09-03
US Trade Deficit Narrows as Imports Fall Faster Than Exports
The US trade deficit narrowed to $73.3 billion in June 2026 from $77.6 billion in May, broadly in line with market expectations, as imports declined more sharply than exports. Imports were down 1.8% to $388.0 billion, driven by lower purchases of capital goods and consumer goods, particularly computers and pharmaceuticals, while services imports edged higher. Exports fell 0.9% to $314.7 billion, reflecting weaker shipments of industrial supplies, including crude and fuel oil, and capital goods, although services exports increased on stronger financial services and travel. In the first half of 2026, the cumulative trade gap narrowed to $371.2 billion, down from a record $560.5 billion a year earlier, suggesting that US trade flows are gradually normalizing following last year's tariff announcements and the front-loading of imports that preceded them, although uncertainty over US trade policy remains.
2026-08-04
U.S. Sets 10%-12-1/2% Import Tariffs on 60 Trading Partners
The Trump administration announced new tariffs of 10% to 12-1/2% on imports from about 60 U.S. trading partners, replacing the temporary 10% tariffs that expire Friday. The new duties will apply to nearly all U.S. imports, with the administration arguing that the targeted countries have failed to adequately prohibit or enforce restrictions on goods produced with forced labor. Economies with partial bans on forced labor or commitments to strengthen them, including the UK, Canada, Mexico, and India, will face 10% tariffs. Meanwhile, countries deemed to have insufficient safeguards, such as China, South Korea, and Japan, will be subject to 12-1/2% duties. Products already covered by sector-specific or national security-related tariffs are exempt. The move reflects the administration's broader strategy to restore its global tariff agenda after the Supreme Court struck down its earlier tariff framework in February.
2026-07-23