The deficit decrease is largely a response to last year, when trade and the deficit swelled in anticipation of President Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” tariffs.

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. trade deficit widened in March as an artificial intelligence investment boom pulled in imports, more than offsetting an increase in exports, which were partly boosted by crude oil shipments amid the Middle East conflict.

The US trade deficit widened in March as an increase in the value of imports exceeded exports in a sign of solid consumer and business demand.

Facts around the balance of imports and exports under President Trump and his tariffs can seem impossibly contradictory.

The United States recorded a higher trade deficit in March as import growth continued to outpace exports, according to fresh data released by the US C

Higher imports of autos, consumer goods and capital equipment offset a rise in energy exports, even as the year-to-date deficit narrows sharply

The US trade deficit dropped by over 25% in January, falling to $54.5 billion to start 2026 but following increases in the previous two months. The closely watched figure fell markedly from $72.9 billion in December, which was revised from $70.3 billion ...

The US trade deficit grew slightly less than expected in March, government data showed Tuesday, as spending linked to the artificial intelligence buildout boosted imports.

Exports increased 2.0% to a an all-time high of $320.9 billion. Goods exports surged 3.1% to a record high $213.5 billion amid a rise in the shipments of petroleum. The U.S.-Israe