The US trade deficit widened sharply to $77.6 billion in May 2026 from a revised $54.6 billion in April, broadly in line with market expectations of a $78.5 billion shortfall. The gap was the largest since March 2025, as imports climbed 3.3% to $395.3 billion, their highest level in more than a year. The increase was driven primarily by higher purchases of consumer goods, particularly pharmaceutical preparations and cell phones, as well as crude oil and passenger cars. Meanwhile, exports fell 3.2% to $317.7 billion, weighed down by lower shipments of nonmonetary gold and other precious metals, computers and computer accessories, and consumer goods, particularly pharmaceutical preparations. May's trade data suggests net exports will weigh more heavily on second-quarter GDP than in the first. Meanwhile, ongoing trade policy uncertainty persists as the Trump administration pursues alternative tariff measures and shifts to annual trade reviews with Canada and Mexico. source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 77.59 USD Billion in May of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States averaged -18.99 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 July of 2026.

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 77.59 USD Billion in May of 2026. Balance of Trade in the United States is expected to be -60.00 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
2026-06-09 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Apr $-55.9B $-56.6B $-56.1B $-57.9B
2026-07-07 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
May $-77.6B $-54.6B $-78.5B $-80.0B
2026-08-04 12:30 PM
Balance of Trade
Jun $-77.6B $ -70B



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Exports 317.68 328.19 USD Billion May 2026
Goods Exports 208504.00 220108.00 USD Million May 2026
Goods Imports 314396.00 302339.00 USD Million May 2026
Goods Trade Balance -105892.00 -82231.00 USD Million May 2026
Imports 395.26 382.76 USD Billion May 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -77.59 -54.57 USD Billion May 2026
Current Account -226.83 -221.07 USD Billion Mar 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
-77.59 -54.57 1.95 -132.98 1950 - 2026 USD Billion Monthly
SA

News Stream
US Trade Deficit Largest in Over a Year
The US trade deficit widened sharply to $77.6 billion in May 2026 from a revised $54.6 billion in April, broadly in line with market expectations of a $78.5 billion shortfall. The gap was the largest since March 2025, as imports climbed 3.3% to $395.3 billion, their highest level in more than a year. The increase was driven primarily by higher purchases of consumer goods, particularly pharmaceutical preparations and cell phones, as well as crude oil and passenger cars. Meanwhile, exports fell 3.2% to $317.7 billion, weighed down by lower shipments of nonmonetary gold and other precious metals, computers and computer accessories, and consumer goods, particularly pharmaceutical preparations. May's trade data suggests net exports will weigh more heavily on second-quarter GDP than in the first. Meanwhile, ongoing trade policy uncertainty persists as the Trump administration pursues alternative tariff measures and shifts to annual trade reviews with Canada and Mexico.
2026-07-07
US Trade Gap Narrows as Exports Hit New Record
The US trade deficit narrowed to $55.9 billion in April 2026 from a revised $56.6 billion in March, beating market expectations of $56.1 billion. Exports rose 2.6% ($8.3 billion) to a record $327.1 billion, driven by higher sales of capital goods (up $4.0 billion, including computers and civilian aircraft), industrial supplies (up $2.5 billion, led by crude oil and petroleum products amid rising energy prices due to Middle East tensions), and consumer goods (up $1.7 billion). Service exports fell $0.4 billion, weighed down by declines in travel, transport, and maintenance services. Imports increased 2.0% ($7.6 billion) to $383.0 billion, the highest in one year, solely due to purchases of capital goods (up $7.0 billion), mostly computers, semiconductors, and telecommunications equipment. Imports of services increased $1.3 billion, driven by transport, travel, and insurance services.
2026-06-09
US Trade Deficit Widens in March
The United States trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion in March of 2026 from the revised $57.8 billion gap in the previous month, loosely aligned with market expectations of $60.9 billion to mark the widest deficit so far this year. Imports rose by $8.7 billion, or 2.3% from the previous month to $381 billion in the period. Foreign purchases were higher for autos and parts (+$3.6 billion), consumer goods (+$2.4 billion), capital goods (+$2.1 billion), and industrial supplies (+$2.1 billion). In the meantime, exports jumped by $6.2 billion, or 2.0%, to $320.9 billion, aided by the boost in turnover from higher energy costs of oil, product, and natural gas since the start of the war in March. Foreign sales rose for crude oil (+$2.8 billion), fuel oil (+$1.6 billion), and other petroleum products (+$1.7 billion). Meanwhile, exports of foods rose $1.1 billion amid an increase in soybean exports (+$0.9 billion).
2026-05-05