The US goods trade deficit narrowed to $82.4 billion in April 2026 from $85.3 billion in March, according to preliminary data. Exports rose 4% to a record $219.7 billion, supported by robust gains in capital goods (up 7.5%), industrial supplies (up 2.1%), and consumer goods (up 7.8%). These increases more than offset declines in exports of vehicles (down 2.8%) and foods (down 0.3%).
Imports grew at a slower pace, rising 1.9% to $302.1 billion. Higher imports of capital goods (up 5.6%) and foods (up 0.3%) were partly offset by declines in industrial supplies (down 1.9%), vehicles (down 1.5%), and consumer goods (down 1.0%).
Over the January–April period, the goods trade deficit narrowed sharply to $330 billion, compared with $549 billion in the same period of 2025.
