US Trade Deficit Widens to $105.6 Billion in August as Imports Surge

The US international trade deficit expanded to $105.6 billion in August 2026 from a revised $92.8 billion in July, exceeding economic expectations. A surge in imports drove the gap, climbing 4.3% to $420.8 billion on strong purchases of industrial supplies and capital goods, while exports grew 1.4% to $315.2 billion. The overall goods deficit widened to $136.6 billion, and the real goods deficit reached $114.7 billion, signaling a drag on third-quarter GDP growth. Year-to-date, the cumulative trade shortfall remains 19.9% smaller than during the same period in 2025.