Story perspectives

US Trade Deficit Rises to $60.3 B in March

5/6/2026

Summary

U.S. Trade Deficit Widened

The U.S. trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion in March 2026, from $57.8 billion in February.
Goods deficit rose $4.1 billion to $88.7 billion, with services surplus increasing $1.6 billion to $28.4 billion.
Exports grew 2.0% to $320.9 billion, led by crude oil and other petroleum products.
Imports rose 2.3% to $381.2 billion, driven by autos and passenger cars.
Energy exports jumped $6.9 billion—the biggest monthly rise since June 2008—while service imports fell 2.3% to a decline in four months.

Summary

Trump Tariffs Overturned

The Supreme Court struck down U.S. President Donald Trump's global tariffs on Feb. 20, prompting a policy shift.
The administration imposed a flat 10 percent duty under Section 122 that expires in July without congressional reauthorization.
Two Section 301 probes—one on forced-labor bans and another on excess capacity in 16 partners—prompt sugar, technology and chemicals reps to testify on Tuesday and Wednesday.
China fell to the fourth-largest U.S. exporter behind Taiwan, Vietnam and Mexico.

History

Historical Context

NAFTA began on Jan 1 1994, eliminating most tariffs among the United States, Canada and Mexico. After the 2025 U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods sparked renewed overall deficit worries, lawmakers cited the 2020 USMCA—born from NAFTA’s overhaul—as a template for renegotiation. In 2009 U.S. FDI in NAFTA nations reached $327.5 billion.

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U.S. Trade Deficit Widened

The U.S. trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion in March 2026, from $57.8 billion in February.
Goods deficit rose $4.1 billion to $88.7 billion, with services surplus increasing $1.6 billion to $28.4 billion.
Exports grew 2.0% to $320.9 billion, led by crude oil and other petroleum products.
Imports rose 2.3% to $381.2 billion, driven by autos and passenger cars.
Energy exports jumped $6.9 billion—the biggest monthly rise since June 2008—while service imports fell 2.3% to a decline in four months.

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