US trade deficit widens sharply in May

(Sharecast News) - The US trade deficit widened sharply in May, according to the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis, as exports fell and imports picked up. The goods and services deficit increased to $77.6bn, up from a revised $54.6bn in April, as exports dropped 3.2% on the month to $317.7bn, while imports rose 3.3% to $395.3bn. The goods deficit widened by $23.6bn to $106.5bn, while the services surplus edged up to $28.9bn.

A three‑month moving average showed the deficit rising to $62.9bn, with average exports at $321.5bn and average imports at $384.5bn. Year‑to‑date, however, the overall deficit remained 40.6% lower than the same period in 2025, as exports increased 11.7% and imports fell 2.1%.

Goods exports fell $11.3bn to $210.6bn, led by declines in industrial supplies, non‑monetary gold, precious metals, natural gas, capital goods and consumer goods. Crude oil was one of the few categories to rise, up $2bn.

Services exports increased $800m to $107.1bn, helped by gains in travel, business services, transport and financial services.

Goods imports rose $12.3bn to $317bn, driven by higher inflows of consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, industrial supplies, crude oil, autos, capital goods and semiconductors, while services imports increased $200m to $78.2bn, mainly due to higher insurance services.

April's figures saw small revisions, with exports revised $600m higher and imports $500m lower.





Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com