The US trade gap widened in August as imports jumped sharply, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, with tthe goods and services deficit increasing to $105.6bn, up from a revised $92.8bn in July, driven by a sizeable rise in goods imports.
Source: Sharecast
Imports climbed to $420.8bn, up $17.2bn on the month, with industrial supplies, crude oil, gold and capital goods all posting strong gains, while exports rose more modestly, up $4.5bn to $315.2bn, helped by higher shipments of industrial supplies and capital goods.
The goods deficit widened by $12.8bn to $136.6bn, while the services surplus was little changed at $31bn. On a three‑month basis, the average deficit increased to $89.9bn, reflecting firmer import demand.
Real goods trade also deteriorated, with the real goods deficit rising 8.2% to $114.7bn, as real imports outpaced real exports.
Year‑to‑date, the overall deficit still remains narrower than in 2025, but August's jump highlights renewed pressure from stronger inbound demand and higher commodity‑related imports.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
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