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. source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 57.30 USD Billion in February of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States averaged -19.32 USD Billion from 1950 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 1.95 USD Billion in June of 1975 and a record low of -135.86 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 April of 2026.

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 57.30 USD Billion in February of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States is expected to be -50.00 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 -52.00 USD Billion in 2027 and -60.00 USD Billion in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-12 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jan $-54.5B $-72.9B $-66.6B $-65.0B
2026-04-02 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Feb $-57.3B $-54.7B $-59.2B $-60.0B
2026-05-05 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Mar $-57.3B $ -55B

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Exports 314.79 302.22 USD Billion Feb 2026
Goods Exports 206918.00 195412.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Goods Imports 291522.00 277549.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Goods Trade Balance -83487.00 -80936.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Imports 372.14 356.90 USD Billion Feb 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -57.35 -54.68 USD Billion Feb 2026
Current Account -190.70 -239.10 USD Billion Dec 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
-57.35 -54.68 1.95 -135.86 1950 - 2026 USD Billion Monthly
SA

News Stream
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
US Trade Gap Narrows in January
The US trade deficit narrowed sharply to $54.5 billion in January 2026, the lowest since October, following a revised $72.9 billion in December and compared to forecasts of a $66.6 billion gap. Exports jumped 5.5% to a record high of $302.1 billion led by sales of nonmonetary gold, other precious metals, computers, civilian aircraft and computer accessories while sales were down for pharmaceutical preparations. In contrast, imports declined 0.7% to $356.6 billion led by pharmaceutical preparations, trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, passenger cars and nonmonetary gold. On the other hand, imports rose for computers and telecommunications equipment. The largest trade gaps were recorded with Vietnam ($-19 billion vs $-17.6 billion in December), Taiwan ($-17.3 billion vs $-19.8 billion), Mexico ($-12.8 billion vs $-14.5 billion), and China ($-12.5 billion vs $-12.4 billion). The deficit with the EU narrowed sharply to $6.1 billion from $11.1 billion.
2026-03-12
Paris Talks to Pave Way for Trump–Xi Summit
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are expected to meet in Paris late next week to discuss potential business agreements ahead of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and his counterpart, Xi Jinping, Bloomberg News reported. Talks are likely to center on Chinese purchase commitments for Boeing aircraft and U.S. soybeans. Another key issue will be the future of tariffs imposed by Trump to curb fentanyl flows, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the duties. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing at the end of March, with the Paris meeting seen as a precursor to broader negotiations at the leaders’ summit.
2026-03-03