US Trade Deficit Widens to 17-Month High

2026-10-06 12:36 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

The US trade deficit widened to $105.6 billion in August 2026 from a revised $92.8 billion in July, exceeding market expectations of $102.0 billion and marking its largest gap since March 2025.

The widening was driven by a $17.2 billion surge in imports to an all-time high of $420.8 billion.

Imports of industrial supplies and materials rose $9.1 billion, led by crude oil and nonmonetary gold, while capital goods imports increased $6.2 billion on stronger purchases of semiconductors and other industrial machinery.

These gains more than offset a decline in computer accessories.

Meanwhile, exports rose $4.5 billion to $315.2 billion, driven by a $6.3 billion increase in industrial supplies and materials, mainly nonmonetary gold and crude oil, and a $1.3 billion rise in capital goods, including semiconductors and computers.

Pharmaceutical exports fell $2.4 billion.

Exports and imports of services were little changed.



News Stream
US Trade Deficit Widens to 17-Month High
The US trade deficit widened to $105.6 billion in August 2026 from a revised $92.8 billion in July, exceeding market expectations of $102.0 billion and marking its largest gap since March 2025. The widening was driven by a $17.2 billion surge in imports to an all-time high of $420.8 billion. Imports of industrial supplies and materials rose $9.1 billion, led by crude oil and nonmonetary gold, while capital goods imports increased $6.2 billion on stronger purchases of semiconductors and other industrial machinery. These gains more than offset a decline in computer accessories. Meanwhile, exports rose $4.5 billion to $315.2 billion, driven by a $6.3 billion increase in industrial supplies and materials, mainly nonmonetary gold and crude oil, and a $1.3 billion rise in capital goods, including semiconductors and computers. Pharmaceutical exports fell $2.4 billion. Exports and imports of services were little changed.
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