Trade deficit grows: USA records record imports despite Trump's tariffs

US President Trump continues to build on his tariff policy. But shortly before the important interim figures, the statistics office reported record figures on the import side. The trade deficit with Mexico has never been larger.

Just a week ago, US President Donald Trump was very satisfied with his customs policy: "We are currently experiencing the largest relocation of US production in the history of our country," said Trump. At the same time, there is a “skyrocketing increase in demand for products ‘Made in America’”. This increase is not immediately apparent when looking at the latest US trade balance data. The first thing that stands out is the growing trade deficit.

Demand for US products increased slightly in August. However, the stable exports are contrasted by impressive import figures: last month, the value of products imported from abroad was only just below the record value from March of the previous year. If services are included, this record has already been reached - with imports worth $420.8 billion. More than ever before.

The USA reached its previous high in March 2025. At that time, they imported goods and services worth 416.4 billion. At that time, US companies had purchased goods on a massive scale, probably in order to build up supplies before the foreseeable tariff storm. At the beginning of April 2025, Trump announced the economic independence of the USA, the day of liberation. Trump imposed import tariffs on almost all trading partners, as a result of which he increased them, in some cases significantly, concluded agreements, lost in court and imposed new tariffs.

Excluding services, the value of US imports in March 2025 was $342.3 billion. This is the highest value to date for the pure import of goods. Now, around a year and a half later, most of the supplies are likely to have been used up. And the value of imported goods has almost reached the March 2025 level. In August, goods worth $342.2 billion were imported.

“Our country has been plundered for decades”

The USA recently imported significantly more crude oil, as well as semiconductors and computers. The AI ​​boom and the rise in oil prices in particular drove development. The sometimes rapid developments in various markets are constantly shifting the focus of the US trade balance.

Despite the shifts, the robust US economy and the gently increasing exports, it is clear in the long term that the US trade deficit, which President Trump is fighting so hard against, continues to grow. The United States recently imported $136.6 billion more in goods than it exported. “For decades, our country has been plundered, devastated, desecrated and robbed by nations near and far, friends and foes alike,” said Trump, explaining this imbalance at the start of his tariff offensive.

For years, hardworking American citizens had to stand idly by as other nations became rich and powerful. At the expense of the USA. That's the end of it. The same applies then as now: One of Trump's closest trading partners and therefore bitterest enemies is his neighboring country Mexico. Yesterday, the US Census Bureau reported: The US trade deficit with Mexico has reached a record high.