US trade deficit hits 14-month high.

Cảng hàng hóa Los Angeles, bang California, Mỹ. Ảnh: THX/TTXVN

Los Angeles cargo port, California, USA. Photo: THX/VNA

The U.S. goods trade deficit rose to its highest level in 14 months in May, indicating that import demand remains strong despite the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

According to data released by the US Department of Commerce on June 26, the merchandise trade deficit in May increased by 27.4% compared to the previous month, reaching $105.8 billion, significantly higher than the forecast of approximately $85 billion and the highest level since March 2025.

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Imports increased across most major product categories, with automobiles up 6.3%, consumer goods up 5.7%, industrial supplies up 4.8%, and food and beverages up 4.3%. Many US businesses proactively imported early to stockpile materials and prepare for potential supply chain disruptions due to tensions in the Middle East, particularly risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Besides geopolitical factors, experts believe that current tariffs have not significantly reduced import volumes, as businesses are still rushing to import goods before potential cost increases. Furthermore, the wave of investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure is also boosting demand for imported servers, semiconductors, and high-tech components. Although imports of capital goods only increased by 0.4% compared to the previous month, the year-on-year increase reached 41.9%.

Analysts believe that domestic production capacity is insufficient to meet the demand for AI equipment, leading to continued high import levels and putting pressure on the trade balance in the short term. Data from Trading Economics shows that the US has maintained a continuous goods trade deficit since 1976, with a projected deficit of over $1.2 trillion in 2025. This indicates that the goal of narrowing the US trade deficit will still face many challenges given the economy 's heavy reliance on imported supplies.

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Source: https://vtv.vn/tham-hut-thuong-mai-my-lap-dinh-14-thang-100260627155012261.htm