U.S. Trade Deficit Widens in November
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Jan 29, 2026 · Last updated Jan 29, 2026
The widening U.S. trade deficit in November, driven by increased capital goods imports and decreased exports, is likely to lead economists to trim their fourth-quarter GDP growth estimates. This could signal a slowdown in economic expansion, potentially affecting investor sentiment and market forecasts.
The U.S. trade deficit expanded significantly in November, reaching $56.8 billion, marking the largest percentage increase since March 1992. This surge was primarily due to a substantial rise in capital goods imports, possibly fueled by an artificial intelligence investment boom, while exports experienced a notable decline. The report, delayed by a 43-day U.S. government shutdown, indicates that imports jumped 5.0% to $348.9 billion, with capital goods soaring to a record high. Conversely, exports tumbled 3.6% to $292.1 billion, largely due to decreases in industrial supplies and materials. This deterioration in trade is expected to temper economists' expectations for fourth-quarter GDP growth, with some estimates, like those from Goldman Sachs, running well below the United States===Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's forecast.
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