As the Donald Trump administration prepares to implement high tariff policies, the U.S. trade deficit recorded its highest level ever in March.
The U.S. Department of Commerce reported on June 6 (local time) that the U.S. trade deficit in March reached $140.5 billion, an increase of $17.3 billion (14%) from the previous month.
The deficit widened significantly compared to February ($123.2 billion), exceeding the expert forecast compiled by Dow Jones ($137.6 billion). This is interpreted as the impact of corporations rushing to place orders to secure inventories of imported goods ahead of the implementation of tariffs by the Trump administration.
Exports in March totaled $278.5 billion, an increase of $500 million (0.2%) compared to the previous month, while imports rose to $419 billion, an increase of $1.78 billion (4.4%) from the prior month.