When adjusted for inflation, the goods trade deficit increased 1.2% to $87.0 billion in February.
Most of the imported goods likely ended up as inventories, which could offset
the anticipated hit on gross domestic product from the widening trade gap.
Trade added 0.25 percentage point to the economy’s
3.4% annualized growth rate in the fourth quarter after being neutral for two
straight quarters. Growth estimates for the first quarter are currently as high
as a 2.8% pace.
Exports
jumped 2.3% to an all-time high of $263.0 billion but exports of motor
vehicles, parts and engines decreased $1.3 billion.
Imports advanced 2.2% to $331.9 billion in February,
the highest level since October 2022. Goods imports shot up 1.8% to $268.1
billion. There were increases in imports of consumer goods, food as well as
motor vehicles, parts and engines.
Services imports rose $2.4 billion to a record $63.8
billion.