Economics

U.S. Trade Gap Hits Seven-Month High Amid Expanding Tariff War

Pedestrians watch from River Street as a cargo ship and a tug boat travel into the Port of Savannah.
Photographer: Ty Wright/Bloomberg

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By Sho Chandra

November 2, 2018 at 12:30 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The U.S. trade deficit widened more than forecastin September to a seven-month high as imports expanded and themerchandise gap with China hit a record amid an escalatingtariff war.

The gap for goods and services increased 1.3 percent from theprior month to $54 billion, Commerce Department data showedFriday. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloombergcalled for a deficit of $53.6 billion. Imports and exports bothrose 1.5 percent.