US Goods Trade Deficit Widens More Than Forecast to $132.6B

The U.S. goods trade deficit widened to $132.6 billion in August 2026, up from a revised $118.9 billion in July and well above forecasts, marking its largest gap since March 2025. Imports jumped 5.5% to $336.1 billion, led by industrial supplies, including petroleum, and capital goods, while exports rose 1.9% to $203.4 billion. Stronger shipments of industrial supplies and capital goods supported exports, but declines in automotive, consumer and food exports offset some of the gains. The widening deficit could weigh on third-quarter GDP, although rising wholesale and retail inventories may partly soften the impact; the figures also renew scrutiny of U.S. import dependence, trade policy and supply-chain vulnerabilities.