US Trade Gap Higher Than Expected

2026-02-19 13:36 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

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).



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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).
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