US Trade Deficit Widens in March

2026-05-05 12:37 By Andre Joaquim 1 min. read

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).



News Stream
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.
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. 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).
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.
2026-04-02