Story perspectives

U.S. Trade Deficit Shrinks as Capital Goods Imports Jump

5/30/2026

39 8

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. goods trade deficit fell to $82.4 billion in April, down from $85.3 billion in March.
Exports increased 4.0 percent to $219.7 billion while imports grew 1.9 percent to $302.1 billion.
Capital-goods imports jumped 5.6 percent, a 40.1 percent year-over-year rise.
Wholesale inventories grew 0.5 percent to $938.6 billion, indicating deliberate restocking rather than distress, while the data give little comfort to expectations of a near-term Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut.

1 of 1

Story summary

The U.S. goods trade deficit fell to $82.4 billion in April, down from $85.3 billion in March.
Exports increased 4.0 percent to $219.7 billion while imports grew 1.9 percent to $302.1 billion.
Capital-goods imports jumped 5.6 percent, a 40.1 percent year-over-year rise.
Wholesale inventories grew 0.5 percent to $938.6 billion, indicating deliberate restocking rather than distress, while the data give little comfort to expectations of a near-term Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut.