Canada Trade Deficit Widens More Than Expected

Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since August 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led by a 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products, particularly gold in the United States. Imports also increased markedly for energy products (20.1%); metal ores and non-metallic minerals (17.6%); and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January, as imports surged 13.6% and exports rose 4.4%.

Canada’s trade deficit widened to C$3.6 billion in January 2026 from a C$1.3 billion deficit in December and way more than the expected C$0.9 deficit. Exports fell 4.7% m/m to C$62.48 billion, with motor vehicle and parts exports down 21.2% as production stoppages affected passenger car shipments, while aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts decreased 16.0%. These declines were partly offset by a 4.1% increase in energy product exports, driven by natural gas. Exports to the US decreased 3.8%. Imports decreased 1.1% to C$66.13 billion, led by lower imports of motor vehicles and parts (-4.5%) and electronic and electrical equipment and parts (-3.6%), even as imports of industrial machinery, equipment and parts rose 3.4%. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US narrowed to C$5.4 billion, while the deficit with countries other than the US widened to C$9.0 billion.

Canada’s trade deficit narrowed to C$1.31 billion in December 2025 from a C$2.58 billion deficit in November and beating expectations for a C$2.1 billion deficit. Exports rose 2.6% m/m to C$65.63 billion, with metal and non-metallic mineral exports up 18.0% as unwrought gold and related shipments rebounded, while aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts jumped 20.5% to a record high. These gains were partly offset by a 1.0% decline in energy product exports. Exports to the US increased 1.1%. Imports increased 0.6% to C$66.93 billion, led by higher imports of motor vehicles and parts (+5.1%) and metal and non-metallic mineral products (+7.7%), even as consumer-goods imports fell 4.5%. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US narrowed to C$5.7 billion, while the deficit with countries other than the US narrowed to C$7.0 billion.