Trump’s tariffs reduce imports, trade deficit drops

As President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs pushed imports lower, the United States trade deficit fell by nearly 24% in August.

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National News

November 19, 2025 - 2:07 PM

Realizing the tariffs are making life difficult for Americans, President Trump is pitching an unfeasible $2,000 "bonus" for most households. Photo by AP Photo/Matt Rourke

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. trade deficit fell by nearly 24% in August as President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs pushed imports lower.

In a report delayed for more than seven weeks by the federal government shutdown, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that the the gap between what the United States buys from other countries and what it sells them fell to $59.6 billion in August, from $78.2 billion in July.

Imports of goods and services dropped 5% to $340.4 billion in August from July when U.S. companies were stocking up on foreign products before Trump…

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