{"id":252973,"date":"2026-04-05T14:50:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T14:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/252973\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T14:50:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T14:50:22","slug":"us-trade-deficit-widens-in-february-as-imports-offset-record-exports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/252973\/","title":{"rendered":"US Trade Deficit Widens in February As Imports Offset Record Exports"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON, April 2 (Reuters)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0The U.S. trade deficit widened in February as a rebound in imports offset strong growth in exports, which increased to a record high, potentially keeping trade on track to subtract from economic growth in the first quarter.<\/p>\n

The trade gap increased 4.9% to $57.3 billion, the Commerce Department\u2019s Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau said on Thursday. Data for January was revised to show the deficit narrowing to $54.7 billion instead of $54.5 billion as previously estimated. Economists polled by Reuters forecast the trade deficit rising to $61.0 billion in February.<\/p>\n

The BEA and Census Bureau are still catching up on data releases following last year\u2019s government shutdown. Trade data continues to be volatile amid shifting policy.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Supreme Court in February struck down President Donald Trump\u2019s broad tariffs, which he pursued under a law meant for use in national emergencies. Trump, however, responded by imposing a\u00a0global tariff<\/a>\u00a0for up to 150 days.<\/p>\n

Trump has defended the tariffs as necessary to address the trade deficit and revive the nation\u2019s industrial base, though 100,000 factory jobs have been lost since January 2025.<\/p>\n

Economists expect the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which has led to\u00a0shipping\u00a0restrictions impacting goods ranging from energy products to fertilizers through the Strait of Hormuz, to reduce trade volumes.<\/p>\n

Imports increased 4.3% to $372.1 billion in February. Goods imports rose 5.0% to $291.5 billion.\u00a0They were boosted by imports of capital goods, which increased $7.8 billion, mostly reflecting computers, computer accessories and semiconductors. These imports are likely linked to artificial intelligence and the construction of data centers.<\/p>\n

Imports of industrial supplies and materials increased $3.1 billion, mostly lifted by crude oil. Consumer goods imports rose $2.2 billion amid a $1.0 billion increase in pharmaceutical preparations. Imports of automotive vehicles, parts and engines increased $1.6 billion.<\/p>\n

Exports jumped 4.2% to a record high $314.8 billion. Goods exports soared 5.9% to an all-time high of $206.9 billion.<\/p>\n

Exports of industrial supplies and materials increased $10.2 billion to a record high, driven by monetary gold and natural gas. Exports of non-petroleum goods were also the highest on record.<\/p>\n

The goods trade deficit widened 3.0% to $84.6 billion in February. When adjusted for inflation, the goods deficit increased $0.5 billion, or 0.6%, to $83.5 billion.<\/p>\n

Trade subtracted from gross domestic product growth in the fourth quarter. The Atlanta Federal Reserve is forecasting GDP increasing at a 1.9% annualized rate in the first quarter. The economy grew at a 0.7% pace in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

The goods trade deficit with China increased to $13.1 billion in February from $12.5 billion in January, while the shortfall with Mexico swelled $4.1 billion to $16.8 billion.<\/p>\n

Exports of services increased $1.1 billion to a record $107.9 billion amid rises in travel, other business services, financial services and charges for the use of intellectual property. But exports of transport services fell.<\/p>\n

Imports of services jumped $1.3 billion to an all-time high of $80.6 billion, boosted by charges for the use of intellectual property.<\/p>\n

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Andrea Ricci)<\/p>\n

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026.<\/p>\n

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