The US trade deficit widened to $88.6 billion in July 2026, marking the largest gap since March 2025, compared with a $71.1 billion shortfall in June and market expectations of a $90 billion deficit. Exports declined 2.1% to $310.7 billion, led by lower sales of crude oil (-$4.5 billion) and nonmonetary gold (-$3.9 billion). On the other hand, shipments increased for capital goods ($1.9 billion) and pharmaceutical preparations ($1 billion). Meanwhile, imports rose 2.8% to $399.3 billion, boosted by purchases of computers ($6.9 billion), computer accessories ($6.6 billion) and semiconductors ($1.2 billion) while a fall was seen for crude oil ($-1.8 billion) and charges for the use of intellectual property ($-0.5 billion). The largest gaps were recorded with Mexico ($-27.5 billion), Vietnam ($-23.3 billion) and Taiwan ($-18 billion). The deficit with China was $15.2 billion and the balance with Switzerland shifted from a surplus of $2.9 billion to a deficit of $0.6 billion. source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 88.58 USD Billion in July of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States averaged -19.11 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 -132.98 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 October of 2026.

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 88.58 USD Billion in July of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States is expected to be -58.00 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 -40.00 USD Billion in 2027 and -60.00 USD Billion in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-08-04 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jun $-73.3B $-77.6B $-73.0B $ -73.0B
2026-09-03 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jul $-88.6B $-71.2B $-90B $-91.2B
2026-10-06 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Aug $-88.6B $-89.8B $-102.2B



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Exports 310.72 317.34 USD Billion Jul 2026
Goods Exports 203415.00 199689.00 USD Million Aug 2026
Goods Imports 336051.00 318630.00 USD Million Aug 2026
Goods Trade Balance -132636.00 -118940.00 USD Million Aug 2026
Imports 399.30 388.52 USD Billion Jul 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -88.58 -71.18 USD Billion Jul 2026
Current Account -246.00 -212.60 USD Billion Jun 2026
Semiconductor Exports 5314.30 5404.10 USD million Jul 2026


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
-88.58 -71.18 1.95 -132.98 1950 - 2026 USD Billion Monthly
SA

News Stream
U.S.–China Trade Truce Extended to January 10
Washington confirmed the U.S.–China trade truce will run until January 10, 2027, extending tariff relief and rare-earth flows beyond the November expiry. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the move Wednesday as China's leader Xi Jinping arrived for a state visit, noting Beijing must deliver more commitments. The moratorium, first struck by Xi and Trump in South Korea last October, was widely expected to be prolonged, with markets anticipating at least a six-month extension ahead of the summit.
2026-09-24
Trump Eyes EU Tariffs Over Canada Plan
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened sweeping tariffs on the European Union or even a halt to trade if Brussels proceeds with plans to make Canada its first “associate member.” Calling Canada “a terrible trade partner,” Trump said that if he views the EU’s move as hostile, he would impose “very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things.” His remarks followed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement that the bloc was opening the door for Canada to join under a new category of associate membership, which does not currently exist under EU treaties and would require ratification by member states.
2026-09-17
US Trade Gap Largest in 16 Months
The US trade deficit widened to $88.6 billion in July 2026, marking the largest gap since March 2025, compared with a $71.1 billion shortfall in June and market expectations of a $90 billion deficit. Exports declined 2.1% to $310.7 billion, led by lower sales of crude oil (-$4.5 billion) and nonmonetary gold (-$3.9 billion). On the other hand, shipments increased for capital goods ($1.9 billion) and pharmaceutical preparations ($1 billion). Meanwhile, imports rose 2.8% to $399.3 billion, boosted by purchases of computers ($6.9 billion), computer accessories ($6.6 billion) and semiconductors ($1.2 billion) while a fall was seen for crude oil ($-1.8 billion) and charges for the use of intellectual property ($-0.5 billion). The largest gaps were recorded with Mexico ($-27.5 billion), Vietnam ($-23.3 billion) and Taiwan ($-18 billion). The deficit with China was $15.2 billion and the balance with Switzerland shifted from a surplus of $2.9 billion to a deficit of $0.6 billion.
2026-09-03