U.S. Trade Deficit Widens in January

Total January exports of $180.8 billion and imports of $233.4 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $52.6 billion, up from $50.4 billion in December, revised. January exports were $2.6 billion more than December exports of $178.2 billion. January imports were $4.7 billion more than December imports of $228.7 billion.
TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
3/9/2012 1:50:55 PM

In January, the goods deficit increased $2.4 billion from December to $67.5 billion, and the services surplus increased $0.3 billion from December to $14.9 billion. Exports of goods increased $1.9 billion to $128.6 billion, and imports of goods increased $4.3 billion to $196.1 billion. Exports of services increased $0.7 billion to $52.2 billion, and imports of services increased $0.4 billion to $37.3 billion.

The December to January increase in exports of goods reflected increases in capital goods ($1.3 billion); automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.1 billion); and foods, feeds,
and beverages ($0.1 billion). Decreases occurred in other goods ($0.5 billion); industrial supplies and materials ($0.3 billion); and consumer goods ($0.2 billion).

The December to January increase in imports of goods reflected increases in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($2.4 billion); industrial supplies and materials ($1.1 billion); foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.4 billion); and consumer goods ($0.2 billion). A decrease occurred in other goods ($0.1 billion). Capital goods were virtually unchanged.

U.S. Trade Deficit Widens in January



News

US Trade Deficit Narrows as Exports Hit New Record
The US trade deficit narrowed to $55.9 billion in April 2026 from a revised $56.6 billion in March, beating market expectations of $56.1 billion. Exports rose 2.6% ($8.3 billion) to a record $327.1 billion, driven by higher sales of capital goods (up $4.0 billion, including computers and civilian aircraft), industrial supplies (up $2.5 billion, led by crude oil and petroleum products amid rising energy prices due to Middle East tensions), and consumer goods (up $1.7 billion). Service exports fell $0.4 billion, weighed down by declines in travel, transport, and maintenance services. Imports increased 2.0% ($7.6 billion) to $383.0 billion, the highest in one year, solely due to purchases of capital goods (up $7.0 billion), mostly computers, semiconductors, and telecommunications equipment. Imports of services increased $1.3 billion, driven by transport, travel, and insurance services.
Published on 2026-06-09

US Trade Deficit Narrows as Exports Hit New Record
The US trade deficit narrowed to $55.9 billion in April 2026 from a revised $56.6 billion in March, beating market expectations of $56.1 billion. Exports rose 2.6% ($8.3 billion) to a record $327.1 billion, driven by higher sales of capital goods (up $4.0 billion), including computers and civilian aircraft, industrial supplies (up $2.5 billion), led by crude oil and petroleum products amid rising energy prices due to Middle East tensions, and consumer goods (up $1.7 billion). However, service exports fell $0.4 billion, weighed down by declines in travel, transport, and maintenance services. Imports increased 2.0% ($7.6 billion) to $383.0 billion.
Published on 2026-06-09

US Trade Gap Narrows as Exports Hit New Record
The US trade deficit narrowed to $55.9 billion in April 2026 from a revised $56.6 billion in March, beating market expectations of $56.1 billion. Exports rose 2.6% ($8.3 billion) to a record $327.1 billion, driven by higher sales of capital goods (up $4.0 billion, including computers and civilian aircraft), industrial supplies (up $2.5 billion, led by crude oil and petroleum products amid rising energy prices due to Middle East tensions), and consumer goods (up $1.7 billion). Service exports fell $0.4 billion, weighed down by declines in travel, transport, and maintenance services. Imports increased 2.0% ($7.6 billion) to $383.0 billion, the highest in one year, solely due to purchases of capital goods (up $7.0 billion), mostly computers, semiconductors, and telecommunications equipment. Imports of services increased $1.3 billion, driven by transport, travel, and insurance services.
Published on 2026-06-09

US Trade Deficit Widens in March
The United States trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion in March of 2026 from the revised $57.8 billion gap in the previous month, loosely aligned with market expectations of $60.9 billion to mark the widest deficit so far this year. Imports rose by $8.7 billion, or 2.3% from the previous month to $381 billion in the period. In the meantime, exports jumped by $6.2 billion, or 2.0%, to $320.9 billion, aided by the boost in turnover from higher energy costs of oil, product, and natural gas since the start of the war in March.
Published on 2026-05-05

US Trade Deficit Widens in March
The United States trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion in March of 2026 from the revised $57.8 billion gap in the previous month, loosely aligned with market expectations of $60.9 billion to mark the widest deficit so far this year. Imports rose by $8.7 billion, or 2.3% from the previous month to $381 billion in the period. Foreign purchases were higher for autos and parts (+$3.6 billion), consumer goods (+$2.4 billion), capital goods (+$2.1 billion), and industrial supplies (+$2.1 billion. In the meantime, exports jumped by $6.2 billion, or 2.0%, to $320.9 billion, aided by the boost in turnover from higher energy costs of oil, product, and natural gas since the start of the war in March. Foreign sales rose for crude oil (+$2.8 billion), fuel oil (+$1.6 billion), and other petroleum products (+$1.7 billion). Meanwhile, exports of foods rose $1.1 billion amid an increase in soybean exports (+$0.9 billion).
Published on 2026-05-05

US Trade Deficit Widens in March
The United States trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion in March of 2026 from the revised $57.8 billion gap in the previous month, loosely aligned with market expectations of $60.9 billion to mark the widest deficit so far this year. Imports rose by $8.7 billion, or 2.3% from the previous month to $381 billion in the period. Foreign purchases were higher for autos and parts (+$3.6 billion), consumer goods (+$2.4 billion), capital goods (+$2.1 billion), and industrial supplies (+$2.1 billion). In the meantime, exports jumped by $6.2 billion, or 2.0%, to $320.9 billion, aided by the boost in turnover from higher energy costs of oil, product, and natural gas since the start of the war in March. Foreign sales rose for crude oil (+$2.8 billion), fuel oil (+$1.6 billion), and other petroleum products (+$1.7 billion). Meanwhile, exports of foods rose $1.1 billion amid an increase in soybean exports (+$0.9 billion).
Published on 2026-05-05

US Trade Deficit Widens in March
The United States trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion in March of 2026 from the revised $57.8 billion gap in the previous month, loosely aligned with market expectations of $60.9 billion to mark the widest deficit so far this year. Imports rose by $8.7 billion, or 2.3% from the previous month to $381 billion in the period. In the meantime, exports jumped by $6.2 billion, or 2.0%, to $320.9 billion, aided by the boost in turnover from higher energy costs of oil, product, and natural gas since the start of the war in March.
Published on 2026-05-05

US Trade Gap Below Forecasts
The trade deficit in the US widened slightly to $57.3 billion in February 2026 from a revised $54.7 billion in February but less than forecasts of a $59.2 billion shortfall. Exports increased 4.2% to a new record high of $314.8 billion led by nonmonetary gold and natural gas. Imports went up 4.3% to $372.1 billion, the highest in eleven months, led by computers, computer accessories, trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, crude oil, semiconductors, pharmaceutical preparations and charges for the use of intellectual property. The largest deficit was by far recorded with Taiwan ($-21.1 billion vs $-17.3 billion in January), followed by Mexico ($-16.8 billion vs $-12.8 billion), Vietnam ($-16.5 billion vs $-19 billion) and China ($-13.1 billion vs $-12.5 billion). The gap with the EU decreased to $5.1 billion from $6.1 billion and the shortfall with Canada also narrowed to $0.74 billion from $2.7 billion.
Published on 2026-04-02

US Trade Gap Below Forecasts
The trade deficit in the US widened slightly to $57.3 billion in February 2026 from a revised $54.7 billion in February but less than forecasts of a $59.2 billion shortfall. Exports increased 4.2% to $314.8 billion led by nonmonetary gold and natural gas and imports went up 4.3% to $372.1 billion led by computers.
Published on 2026-04-02

US Trade Gap Below Forecasts
The trade deficit in the US widened slightly to $57.3 billion in February 2026 from a revised $54.7 billion in February but less than forecasts of a $59.2 billion shortfall. Exports increased 4.2% to a new record high of $314.8 billion led by nonmonetary gold and natural gas. Imports went up 4.3% to $372.1 billion, the highest in eleven months, led by computers, computer accessories, trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, crude oil, semiconductors, pharmaceutical preparations and charges for the use of intellectual property. The largest deficit was by far recorded with Taiwan ($-21.1 billion vs $-17.3 billion in January), followed by Mexico ($-16.8 billion vs $-12.8 billion), Vietnam ($-16.5 billion vs $-19 billion) and China ($-13.1 billion vs $-12.5 billion). The gap with the EU decreased to $5.1 billion from $6.1 billion and the shortfall with Canada also narrowed to $0.74 billion from $2.7 billion.
Published on 2026-04-02

US Trade Gap Narrows in January
The US trade deficit narrowed sharply to $54.5 billion in January 2026, the lowest since October, following a revised $72.9 billion in December and compared to forecasts of a $66.6 billion gap. Exports jumped 5.5% to a record high of $302.1 billion led by sales of nonmonetary gold, other precious metals, pharmaceutical preparations, computers, civilian aircraft and computer accessories. In contrast, imports declined 0.7% to $356.6 billion led by pharmaceutical preparations, trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, passenger cars and nonmonetary gold. On the other hand, imports rose for computers and telecommunications equipment.
Published on 2026-03-12

US Trade Gap Narrows in January
The US trade deficit narrowed sharply to $54.5 billion in January 2026, the lowest since October, following a revised $72.9 billion in December and compared to forecasts of a $66.6 billion gap. Exports jumped 5.5% to a record high of $302.1 billion led by sales of nonmonetary gold, other precious metals, computers, civilian aircraft and computer accessories while sales were down for pharmaceutical preparations. In contrast, imports declined 0.7% to $356.6 billion led by pharmaceutical preparations, trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, passenger cars and nonmonetary gold. On the other hand, imports rose for computers and telecommunications equipment. The largest trade gaps were recorded with Vietnam ($-19 billion vs $-17.6 billion in December), Taiwan ($-17.3 billion vs $-19.8 billion), Mexico ($-12.8 billion vs $-14.5 billion), and China ($-12.5 billion vs $-12.4 billion). The deficit with the EU narrowed sharply to $6.1 billion from $11.1 billion.
Published on 2026-03-12

US Trade Gap Narrows in January
The US trade deficit narrowed sharply to $54.5 billion in January 2026, the lowest since October, following a revised $72.9 billion in December and compared to forecasts of a $66.6 billion gap. Exports jumped 5.5% to a record high of $302.1 billion led by sales of nonmonetary gold, other precious metals, computers, civilian aircraft and computer accessories while sales were down for pharmaceutical preparations. In contrast, imports declined 0.7% to $356.6 billion led by pharmaceutical preparations, trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, passenger cars and nonmonetary gold. On the other hand, imports rose for computers and telecommunications equipment.
Published on 2026-03-12

US Trade Gap Narrows in January
The US trade deficit narrowed sharply to $54.5 billion in January 2026, the lowest since October, following a revised $72.9 billion in December and compared to forecasts of a $66.6 billion gap. Exports jumped 5.5% to a record high of $302.1 billion led by sales of nonmonetary gold, other precious metals, pharmaceutical preparations, computers, civilian aircraft and computer accessories. In contrast, imports declined 0.7% to $356.6 billion led by pharmaceutical preparations, trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles.
Published on 2026-03-12

Paris Talks to Pave Way for Trump–Xi Summit
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are expected to meet in Paris late next week to discuss potential business agreements ahead of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and his counterpart, Xi Jinping, Bloomberg News reported. Talks are likely to center on Chinese purchase commitments for Boeing aircraft and U.S. soybeans. Another key issue will be the future of tariffs imposed by Trump to curb fentanyl flows, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the duties. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing at the end of March, with the Paris meeting seen as a precursor to broader negotiations at the leaders’ summit.
Published on 2026-03-03

Trade Partners Stay After Court Blocks Tariffs: U.S. Trade Chief
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Sunday that none of Washington’s trade partners have indicated plans to withdraw from existing agreements, despite a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a broad portion of President Trump’s tariff program. On Friday, Trump introduced a temporary 10% tariff after the court struck down his earlier duties, which were imposed under an economic emergency law. He also ordered new investigations under alternative statutes that officials say could pave the way for fresh tariffs on multiple trading partners. A day later, he raised the temporary levy to 15%, the legal maximum. Separately, the EU has the tools to retaliate against the latest U.S. tariffs, France’s trade minister Nicolas Forissier told the Financial Times.
Published on 2026-02-22

US Trade Gap Higher Than Expected
The US trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December 2025 from $53 billion in November, above forecasts of a $55.5 billion gap. Exports were down 1.7% to $287.3 billion, led by a big fall in nonmonetary gold while sales increased for semiconductors, pharmaceutical preparations and travel. Meanwhile, imports went up 3.6% to $357.6 billion, led by purchases of computer accessories, nonmonetary gold, copper, telecommunications equipment, transport, crude oil and travel. On the other hand, imports fell for pharmaceutical preparations.
Published on 2026-02-19

US Trade Gap Higher Than Expected
The US trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December 2025 from $53 billion in November, above forecasts of a $55.5 billion gap. Exports were down 1.7% to $287.3 billion, led by a big fall in nonmonetary gold while sales increased for semiconductors, pharmaceutical preparations and travel. Meanwhile, imports went up 3.6% to $357.6 billion, led by purchases of computer accessories, nonmonetary gold, copper, telecommunications equipment, transport, crude oil and travel. On the other hand, imports fell for pharmaceutical preparations. Considering full 2025, the US recorded a $901.47 billion trade deficit, slightly less than a $903.5 billion gap in 2024 and compared to $774.2 billion in 2023. Exports were $3,432.3 billion, up $199.8 billion from 2024. Imports were $4,333.8 billion, up $197.8 billion from 2024.
Published on 2026-02-19

US Trade Gap Higher Than Expected
The US trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December 2025 from $53 billion in November, above forecasts of a $55.5 billion gap. Exports were down 1.7% to $287.3 billion, led by a big fall in nonmonetary gold. Meanwhile, imports went up 3.6% to $357.6 billion, led by purchases of computer accessories. Considering full 2025, the US recorded a $901.5 billion trade deficit, slightly less than a $903.5 billion gap in 2024 and still among the largest since 1960. Exports rose 6.2% to $3,432.3 billion, with nonmonetary gold recording the biggest rise, followed by finished metal shapes, charges for the use of intellectual property and natural gas. Imports increased 4.8% to $4,333.8 billion, led by computers. The deficits narrowed with the EU (to $219 billion in 2025 from $236 billion in 2024) and China (to $202 billion from $296 billion), but widened with Mexico (to $197 billion from $171 billion), Vietnam (to $178 billion from $123 billion), and Taiwan (to $147 billion from $74 billion).
Published on 2026-02-19

U.S., Taiwan Sign Trade Deal Slashing Tariffs to 15%
The U.S. and Taiwan have signed a trade agreement that lowers tariffs on Taiwanese exports to 15%, matching rates applied to regional allies Japan and South Korea, while granting broader access for American goods to Taiwan’s market. Meanwhile, Taipei will remove or cut 99% of tariff barriers on U.S. products and offer “preferential market access” for industrial and agricultural exports, including autos, beef, and minerals. Taiwan also pledged to buy over USD 84 billion in U.S. goods between 2025 and 2029, covering liquefied natural gas, crude oil, aircraft, and power equipment. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said Taiwan agreed to “resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers,” including recognizing U.S. vehicles built to federal safety standards without extra requirements. The deal follows a January pledge by Taiwanese chip firms to invest at least USD 250 billion in U.S. production, supported by matching government credit.
Published on 2026-02-13