Economics
U.S. Merchandise-Trade Gap Widens to Record as Imports Surge
- Deficit grew to $97.8 billion, led by all-time high in imports
- Large shortfall reflects solid demand, business investment
Shipping containers at the Port of Newark in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Photographer: Victor J. Blue/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. merchandise-trade deficit widened to a record in November as imports surged to an all-time high.
The gap increased to $97.8 billion last month from a revised $83.2 billion in October, according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday. The figure exceeded all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists. The data aren’t adjusted for inflation.