09.10.2026 Trade & Markets #USA #Import #Export #Statistics
US trade deficit widens to $105.6bn in August as imports rise
The US goods and services trade deficit came in at $105.6 billion in August 2026, up $12.7 billion from a revised $92.8 billion in July, according to the Census Bureau and BEA release of October 6. Exports rose to $315.2 billion (+$4.5 billion) and imports to $420.8 billion (+$17.2 billion).
What made up the August deficit
Per the release, the goods deficit increased by $12.8 billion to $136.6 billion, while the services surplus was little changed at $31.0 billion. Goods imports rose $17.2 billion to $342.2 billion; goods exports gained $4.4 billion to $205.7 billion.
Year to date, the goods and services deficit is down $138.2 billion, or 19.9%, from the same period of 2025. Exports are up $267.7 billion (11.8%) and imports are up $129.5 billion (4.4%).
Changes by goods category
Among the changes in goods imports, the release lists two groups:
- industrial supplies and materials, +$9.1 billion, including crude oil (+$3.3 billion) and nonmonetary gold (+$3.1 billion);
- capital goods, +$6.2 billion: semiconductors added $2.4 billion and other industrial machinery $1.3 billion, while computer accessories fell $1.6 billion.
In exports, industrial supplies and materials rose $6.3 billion (gold +$2.3 billion, crude oil +$2.0 billion, fuel oil +$1.2 billion) and capital goods rose $1.3 billion. Consumer goods exports decreased by $2.2 billion, with pharmaceutical preparations down $2.4 billion.
Balances with key partners
On a Census-basis goods breakdown, the largest deficits in August were with Mexico ($27.7 billion), Vietnam ($24.0 billion), Taiwan ($18.3 billion) and China ($16.4 billion). They were followed by the European Union ($11.0 billion), South Korea ($9.4 billion), Canada ($7.1 billion) and India ($6.2 billion). The US ran surpluses with the Netherlands ($7.7 billion), the United Kingdom ($3.6 billion) and Hong Kong ($2.3 billion).
Among country changes, the release names Canada, Singapore and Ireland. The deficit with Canada widened by $4.1 billion to $7.1 billion, as imports from Canada rose $4.6 billion to $37.1 billion and exports rose $0.5 billion to $29.9 billion. The balance with Singapore shifted from a $1.9 billion surplus in July to a $0.3 billion deficit, and the deficit with Ireland narrowed by $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion.
How country and commodity figures relate
For importers and exporters checking their own shipments against the statistics, the release sets two limits. The figures cited in the summary are seasonally adjusted but not adjusted for price changes. Country figures are on a Census basis and, per the release, do not sum to the commodity-based totals because they are derived from different aggregations and different seasonal adjustment models. For total goods, the release refers users to the commodity-based totals in its other exhibits.
The next release, covering September, is scheduled for November 4, 2026.
Primary sources
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.