The United States goods trade deficit expanded notably in December 2025, reaching -$98.50 billion, according to data updated on 19 February 2026. This marks a significant deterioration from the previous reported level of -$86.04 billion in September 2025.
The December figure underscores a widening gap between the value of U.S. goods imports and exports toward the end of 2025, suggesting stronger import demand, weaker export performance, or a combination of both compared with earlier in the year. While services and other components of the overall trade balance are not reflected in this goods-only measure, the move from -$86.04 billion to -$98.50 billion highlights mounting external imbalances in the U.S. goods sector heading into 2026.
