United States February Trade Deficit Widens

The United States' trade deficit widened by 4.9% to $57.3 billion in February, as a rebound in imports outpaced strong export growth, which reached a record high. This development is expected to subtract from the United States' economic growth in the first quarter. The United States — Supreme Court of the United States struck down Donald Trump's broad tariffs, though he responded by imposing a global tariff for up to 150 days, which has been linked to 100,000 factory job losses since January 2025. Economists anticipate that the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran will further reduce trade volumes due to shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. Imports of capital goods, industrial supplies, and consumer goods increased, while exports of industrial supplies and materials, including monetary gold and natural gas, also saw significant growth. The goods trade deficit with China and Mexico also increased.