US Goods Trade Deficit Widens to $134.9 Billion as AI Infrastructure Demand Drives Record Imports
U.S. goods imports climbed 2.4% in September to a record $344.1 billion, widening the trade deficit to $134.9 billion as capital-goods imports surged.
UNITED STATES,ECONOMY
Global N Press
10/29/20261 min read
WASHINGTON, October 28, 2026 — The US goods trade deficit widened 2.1% in September to $134.9 billion, exceeding economists’ forecasts as imports climbed 2.4% to a record $344.1 billion, Reuters reported. Capital-goods imports rose 7.5% from August and 77.2% from a year earlier, reflecting strong demand for equipment associated with artificial intelligence infrastructure. Consumer-goods imports also increased amid resilient domestic spending. Goods exports rose 2.6% to $209.2 billion, supported in part by food shipments, but the gain was insufficient to offset higher imports. The larger deficit could weigh on third-quarter economic growth.
Economists estimated that trade might subtract roughly 3.25 to 4 percentage points from annualized GDP growth, although some imported goods entered wholesale and retail inventories, potentially cushioning the impact. Before the data, economists had forecast annualized third-quarter growth of about 3.2%, while some subsequently lowered estimates to around 1%. The preliminary GDP estimate was due on October 29. The figures highlight the influence of AI-related investment on international trade and the US economy’s continued reliance on imported goods. While the trade gap may reduce measured growth in the short term, business investment and consumer spending could provide support. The overall effect will depend on subsequent trade, inventory and domestic-demand data.
