August trade deficit widened to $105.6 billion in October release

The U.S. trade deficit reached $105.6 billion in August 2026, according to the October 6 release from the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis. The agencies reported a $12.7 billion increase from the revised July figure. Exports increased to $315.2 billion, but imports rose more, reaching $420.8 billion. The figures were adjusted for seasonal patterns, without adjusting for price changes. ^[1]

The earlier September 3 report had put July’s deficit at $88.6 billion. It showed exports falling and imports increasing compared with June, with a larger goods deficit partly offset by a slightly larger services surplus. That was the initial July picture. October’s release revised July’s overall deficit to $92.8 billion, making the older number unsuitable as the starting point for the reported August monthly change. ^{[1] [2]}

Goods accounted for nearly all of the August widening. The goods deficit increased $12.8 billion to $136.6 billion, while the services surplus remained about $31 billion. Imports of industrial supplies and materials increased $9.1 billion on a Census basis, including gains in crude oil and nonmonetary gold. Capital-goods imports also increased. These categories describe the composition of trade. ^[1]

A wider monthly deficit coexisted with a smaller cumulative gap: through August, the goods-and-services deficit was 19.9% below the same period of 2025. That contrast makes the comparison period important. The October release is the basis for this historical brief; the September publication supplies revision context. The agencies scheduled the next report, for September trade, for November 4. ^[1]

About this item: Retrospective source brief. No first-hand reporting or independent testing is claimed. Corrections policy.