The US trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December 2025 from $53 billion in November, above forecasts of a $55.5 billion gap. Exports were down 1.7% to $287.3 billion, led by a big fall in nonmonetary gold. Meanwhile, imports went up 3.6% to $357.6 billion, led by purchases of computer accessories. Considering full 2025, the US recorded a $901.5 billion trade deficit, slightly less than a $903.5 billion gap in 2024 and still among the largest since 1960. Exports rose 6.2% to $3,432.3 billion, with nonmonetary gold recording the biggest rise, followed by finished metal shapes, charges for the use of intellectual property and natural gas. Imports increased 4.8% to $4,333.8 billion, led by computers. The deficits narrowed with the EU (to $219 billion in 2025 from $236 billion in 2024) and China (to $202 billion from $296 billion), but widened with Mexico (to $197 billion from $171 billion), Vietnam (to $178 billion from $123 billion), and Taiwan (to $147 billion from $74 billion). source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 70.31 USD Billion in December of 2025. Balance of Trade in the United States averaged -19.22 USD Billion from 1950 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 1.95 USD Billion in June of 1975 and a record low of -135.96 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 February of 2026.

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 70.31 USD Billion in December of 2025. 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
2026-01-29 01:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Nov $-56.8B $-29.2B $-40.5B $-37.0B
2026-02-19 01:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Dec $-70.3B $-53B $-55.5B $-58.0B
2026-03-05 01:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jan $-70.3B

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Exports 287.29 292.29 USD Billion Dec 2025
Goods Exports 180049.00 185616.00 USD Million Dec 2025
Goods Imports 278589.00 268399.00 USD Million Dec 2025
Goods Trade Balance -98540.00 -82783.00 USD Million Dec 2025
Imports 357.60 345.33 USD Billion Dec 2025

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -70.31 -53.04 USD Billion Dec 2025
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
-70.31 -53.04 1.95 -135.96 1950 - 2025 USD Billion Monthly
SA

News Stream
US Trade Gap Higher Than Expected
The US trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December 2025 from $53 billion in November, above forecasts of a $55.5 billion gap. Exports were down 1.7% to $287.3 billion, led by a big fall in nonmonetary gold. Meanwhile, imports went up 3.6% to $357.6 billion, led by purchases of computer accessories. Considering full 2025, the US recorded a $901.5 billion trade deficit, slightly less than a $903.5 billion gap in 2024 and still among the largest since 1960. Exports rose 6.2% to $3,432.3 billion, with nonmonetary gold recording the biggest rise, followed by finished metal shapes, charges for the use of intellectual property and natural gas. Imports increased 4.8% to $4,333.8 billion, led by computers. The deficits narrowed with the EU (to $219 billion in 2025 from $236 billion in 2024) and China (to $202 billion from $296 billion), but widened with Mexico (to $197 billion from $171 billion), Vietnam (to $178 billion from $123 billion), and Taiwan (to $147 billion from $74 billion).
2026-02-19
U.S., Taiwan Sign Trade Deal Slashing Tariffs to 15%
The U.S. and Taiwan have signed a trade agreement that lowers tariffs on Taiwanese exports to 15%, matching rates applied to regional allies Japan and South Korea, while granting broader access for American goods to Taiwan’s market. Meanwhile, Taipei will remove or cut 99% of tariff barriers on U.S. products and offer “preferential market access” for industrial and agricultural exports, including autos, beef, and minerals. Taiwan also pledged to buy over USD 84 billion in U.S. goods between 2025 and 2029, covering liquefied natural gas, crude oil, aircraft, and power equipment. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said Taiwan agreed to “resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers,” including recognizing U.S. vehicles built to federal safety standards without extra requirements. The deal follows a January pledge by Taiwanese chip firms to invest at least USD 250 billion in U.S. production, supported by matching government credit.
2026-02-13
U.S. Pauses China Tech Restrictions Before Trump-Xi Meeting
The Trump administration has paused several major tech-security measures targeting China ahead of an April gathering between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, Reuters reported. The shelved actions include a planned ban on China Telecom’s U.S. operations and restrictions on the sale of Chinese equipment used in American data centers. Washington has also put on hold proposed bans on domestic sales of routers made by TP-Link, as well as potential restrictions on the U.S. internet businesses of China Unicom and China Mobile. Another suspended measure would have barred sales of Chinese electric trucks and buses in the U.S. The moves mark the latest effort by the administration to avoid antagonizing Beijing following an October trade truce between the two leaders. That agreement included a Chinese pledge to delay strict export curbs on rare-earth minerals critical to global tech manufacturing.
2026-02-13