U.S. trade deficit widens in August as imports outpace export gains
The U.S. goods and services trade gap expands in August as imports rise more sharply than exports. The monthly deficit reaches $105.6 billion, up $12.7 billion from a revised $92.8 billion in July.
Highlights
- U.S. August exports rise $4.5 billion to $315.2 billion, while imports surge $17.2 billion to $420.8 billion, widening the trade deficit.
- The goods and services deficit for the three months ending in August averages $89.9 billion, up $9.9 billion from the prior period.
- Year-to-date, the trade deficit narrows by $138.2 billion or 19.9% versus 2025, as exports grow 11.8% and imports increase 4.4%.
August trade data and monthly shifts
As reported by U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau, August exports total $315.2 billion, up $4.5 billion from July, while imports climb $17.2 billion to $420.8 billion.The wider monthly gap reflects a $12.8 billion increase in the goods deficit to $136.6 billion and a services surplus that edges up by less than $0.1 billion to $31.0 billion. Goods exports rise $4.4 billion to $205.7 billion in August, and goods exports on a Census basis increase $4.2 billion. Goods imports increase $17.2 billion to $342.2 billion.
The average goods and services deficit for the three months ending in August increases $9.9 billion to $89.9 billion, indicating a broader rise in the recent trade gap beyond the single-month reading.
Year-to-date trend and economic context
Despite the August deterioration, the year-to-date goods and services deficit decreases by $138.2 billion, or 19.9%, from the same period in 2025.Over that period, exports increase by $267.7 billion, or 11.8%, while imports rise by $129.5 billion, or 4.4%. The figures suggest stronger export growth continues to narrow the trade gap over the longer stretch of 2026, even as August shows renewed pressure from faster import growth.
BTS’s October 2026 update to its preliminary estimate models explained how the agency is using regression-based methods to publish early readings for key U.S. transportation indicators months ahead of final audited counts. Our publication previously noted that the updated models cover aviation enplanements, transit and Amtrak ridership, transborder freight, and vehicle miles traveled, giving operators and policymakers faster visibility into passenger volumes and freight flows for planning and decision-making.
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