In November 2025, the United States experienced a significant widening of its trade deficit, reaching $56.8 billion—the highest level in four months. This stands in stark contrast to the $29.2 billion gap recorded in October, which had been the lowest since 2009, and it greatly exceeds the anticipated shortfall of $40.5 billion. This data highlights considerable monthly fluctuations in the trade balance, reflective of the Trump administration's frequently shifting tariff policies.
During this period, imports rose by 5% to $348.9 billion, primarily driven by a $6.7 billion increase in pharmaceutical preparations, following a previous decline, and a $6.6 billion uptick in computer purchases. Additional growth in imports was noted for semiconductors, although there was a decrease in computer accessories, industrial supplies and materials, and travel-related imports.
Conversely, exports decreased by 3.6% to $292.1 billion, with notable declines in nonmonetary gold, pharmaceutical preparations, and crude oil exports.
