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. source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 54.46 USD Billion in January of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States averaged -19.27 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 -135.86 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 March of 2026.

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 54.46 USD Billion in January of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States is expected to be -75.00 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 -88.00 USD Billion in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-19 01:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Dec $-70.3B $-53B $-55.5B $-58.0B
2026-03-12 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jan $-54.5B $-72.9B $-66.6B $-65.0B
2026-04-02 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Feb $-54.5B

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Exports 302.15 286.30 USD Billion Jan 2026
Goods Exports 194795.00 180019.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Goods Imports 275595.00 278552.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Goods Trade Balance -80800.00 -98533.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Imports 356.60 359.20 USD Billion Jan 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -54.46 -72.90 USD Billion Jan 2026
Current Account -226.40 -249.22 USD Billion Sep 2025


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
-54.46 -72.90 1.95 -135.86 1950 - 2026 USD Billion Monthly
SA

News Stream
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.
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.
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.
2026-02-22