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U.S. Trade Deficit Surges 32.6% in December 2025

2/21/2026

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December 2025, a 32.6% increase from November, according to the Commerce Department.
For 2025, the deficit totaled $901.5 billion, down 0.2% from 2024, a context for potential revisions to fourth-quarter GDP growth estimates.
Imports rose 3.6% to $357.6 billion, driven by industrial supplies and computer accessories.
Exports fell 1.7% to $287.3 billion, largely due to decreased gold shipments.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. trade deficit reached $69.1 billion in 2008 amid the Great Recession, driven by a 3.5% rise in imports and a 1.5% drop in exports. By December 2025, the deficit widened to $70.3 billion, reflecting ongoing trade imbalances and economic vulnerabilities. This trend highlights persistent challenges in U.S. trade dynamics since the financial crisis, impacting GDP growth forecasts.

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Story summary

The U.S. trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December 2025, a 32.6% increase from November, according to the Commerce Department.
For 2025, the deficit totaled $901.5 billion, down 0.2% from 2024, a context for potential revisions to fourth-quarter GDP growth estimates.
Imports rose 3.6% to $357.6 billion, driven by industrial supplies and computer accessories.
Exports fell 1.7% to $287.3 billion, largely due to decreased gold shipments.

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