US trade deficit hits a new record as imports sharply outpace exports

The US trade deficit hit a new record of $109.8 billion in March fueled by strong demand for computers, vehicles, and oil, according to a report by the US Census Bureau released on Wednesday.

The report said exports in March amounted to $241.7 billion, rising $12.9 billion or 5.6% from February, while imports reached $351.5 billion, increasing $32.9 billion or 10.3% compared to the previous month.

The goods deficit increased by $20.4 billion to $128.1 billion, while the services surplus was $0.4 billion with the figures amounting to $18.3 billion.

Year to date the goods and services deficit rose 41.5% or $84.8 billion from the same period in 2021, with exports up 17.7% or $104.5 billion and imports up 23.8% or $189.3 billion.

The March figures show a deficit of $48.6 billion with China and $15.6 billion with the European Union.

The US in March imported more oil, autos, and consumer goods such as cell phones, clothes, furniture, toys, and computers.

US goods trade gap hits record; pending home sales slip

The US trade deficit in goods mushroomed to the widest ever in November as imports of consumer goods shot to a record ahead of the second straight COVID-distorted holiday shopping season along with industrial supplies.

On the other hand, exports of petroleum products, crude oil, fuel oil, and natural gas rose in the same month, as did autos and parts. Rising exports are being propelled by higher prices for oil.

A sharp hike in US imports in the first quarter was a big factor behind a 1.4% drop in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Trade has subtracted from GDP for seven straight quarters. Imports of goods and services jumped 10.3% to $351.5 billion, outpacing a 5.6% rise in exports to $241.7 billion, said a Reuters report.

Earlier, economists had anticipated a trade deficit of $106.7 billion for March.

“The prevailing domestic and overseas economic environment could keep the deficit pinned near record levels and impose a significant headwind to US GDP growth,” economist Mahir Rasheed of Oxford Economics was quoted as saying in the MarketWatch report.

U.S. trade goods deficit widened to record in March, $125.3 billion vs. $105 billion est. & $106.3 billion in prior month … imports +11.5%; exports +7.2% pic.twitter.com/nOfrNz4wm4

— Liz Ann Sonders (@LizAnnSonders) April 27, 2022

US #trade deficit hits a record. This is a symptom of loose monetary policy despite all the talk of @federalreserve tightening. It also means America is spending more than it produces so not a sign of a healthy #economy pic.twitter.com/vW0ETE2l0R

— maneco64 (@maneco1964) May 4, 2022

US Trade deficit jumps to $109.8B in March, a NEW RECORD HIGH!

We continue to print dollars (out of thin air M2 money supply increased by 21% under #biden) & our producer (China) continues to raise prices aka #inflation pic.twitter.com/4aJmMM4etx

— Golden Coast (Cassandra) (@GregCrennan) May 4, 2022

See this strong economy? The consumer is so strong that more and more people have stopped producing.

US trade deficit widens to $-109.8bn. pic.twitter.com/VeoarI5IdZ

— Fabian Wintersberger (@f_wintersberger) May 4, 2022

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