Balance of Trade

Previous: $-98.1B

Forecast: $-127.4B

The balance of trade measures the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services. Higher than expected balance of trade is bullish, while lower than expected balance of trade is bearish.

The US trade deficit narrowed to $122.7 billion in February 2025 from a record high of $130.7 billion in January and compared to forecasts of a $123.5 billion shortfall. The goods deficit fell by $8.8 billion to $147 billion and the services surplus narrowed by $0.8 billion to $24.3 billion. Exports rose 2.9% to $278.5 billion, mostly due to nonmonetary gold, passenger cars, computer accessories, trucks, buses, and civilian aircraft. On the other hand, sales fell for fuel oil, transport, and government goods and services. Meanwhile, imports were little changed close to record levels at $401.1 billion, after surging last month driven by anticipation of upcoming tariffs. Imports fell for finished metal shapes, nonmonetary gold, and civilian aircraft, offsetting higher purchases for cell phones and other household goods, pharmaceutical preparations, and computers. The US trade gap narrowed with China, Switzerland and Canada but increased with the EU, Mexico and Vietnam. source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)