In February 2025, the United States saw its trade deficit shrink to $122.7 billion, down from the all-time high of $130.7 billion recorded in January, and slightly below the predicted $123.5 billion shortfall. The gap in goods decreased by $8.8 billion to $147 billion, while the surplus in services reduced by $0.8 billion to $24.3 billion. Exports experienced a 2.9% increase, reaching $278.5 billion, primarily fueled by gains in nonmonetary gold, passenger vehicles, computer peripherals, trucks, buses, and civilian airplanes. Nonetheless, there were declines in sales of fuel oil, transportation, and government-related goods and services.
While imports remained relatively stable, holding near their peak levels at $401.1 billion, this followed a surge the previous month due to anticipated tariff impositions. Declines in imports of finished metal shapes, nonmonetary gold, and civilian aircraft were counterbalanced by increased acquisitions of cell phones, other household items, pharmaceuticals, and computers. The U.S. trade deficit lessened with China, Switzerland, and Canada but widened with the European Union, Mexico, and Vietnam.
