United States Balance of Trade

Last Release

Jul 31, 2025

Actual

-78.31

Units In

USD Million

-60.18

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Jan 08, 2026

Time to Release

24 Days 22 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
1,946 Jun 1975	-109,802 Mar 2022	-16,608.28 USD Million	1950-2025	U.S. Census Bureau

The United States has been running consistent trade deficits since 1976 due to high imports of oil and consumer products. In 2018, the biggest trade deficits were recorded with China, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Ireland, Vietnam and Italy and the biggest trade surpluses with Hong Kong, Netherlands, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, Brazil and Panama. China is the top trading partner, accounting for 16 percent of total trade, followed by Canada (15 percent) and Mexico (15 percent).

Latest Updates

The US recorded a trade deficit of $52.8 billion in September 2025, the lowest since June 2020, compared to a $59.3 billion gap in August and forecasts of $63.3 billion. Exports jumped 3% to $289.3 billion, the second-highest level on record, led by nonmonetary gold, pharmaceutical preparations and financial services while a decline was seen in sales of computers, travel and transport. Meanwhile, imports rose at a slower 0.6% to $342.1 billion, led by a surge in pharmaceutical preparations and an increase in nonmonetary gold, computer accessories, transport and financial services while purchases declined for computers, crude oil, electric apparatus and travel. In September, the largest trade deficit was recorded with Ireland ($-18.2 billion), followed by Mexico ($-17.8 billion) and the EU ($-17.8 billion). The gap with China narrowed to $11.4 billion while the one with Vietnam was little changed at $14.4 billion. The deficit with Canada was $4.9 billion.