The American commercial deficit widens to a record on pre-tariffs imports

U.S. commercial deficit was extended to a record in March, as companies rushed to import products, including pharmaceuticals, as the Trump administration prepared the rates.

The Commercial Bretto of Goods and Services grew by 14% from the previous month to $ 140.5 billion, the data of the Department of Commerce was displayed on Tuesday. The average estimate in a Bloomberg economist survey was a deficit of $ 137.2 billion.

Imports of consumer goods were increased due to the maximum record, mainly due to the largest entry of pharmaceutical preparations. Imports of capital equipment and motor vehicles also increased.

The report illustrates what was probably the final push of North -American companies to secure goods before President Donald Trump announced expansive duties on April 2. While drug imports were excluded, the President has said that a decision on pharmaceutical rates would be made in the coming weeks.

The dramatic extension of the commercial deficit in the first quarter was the key reason for the economy that was first hired since 2022. The gross domestic product fell 0.3% annualized in the January-March period, and the net exports that remained almost 5 percentage points, the most important.

The value of all imports in the United States jumped 4.4% to a record, while exports increased by only 0.2%.

However, Bloomberg Economics sees that import increases from the facilitation of the rate, based on a drop in China container transport to the United States since April 16. As the commercial deficit narrows, it will probably support a short -term rebound of economic growth.

The data of the Survey of the Institute of Supplies Management that show a decrease in imports by manufacturers and service providers also suggest that the strategy of precipitating in imports before the rates is over.

Trump seeks equity in bilateral trade, with the aim of encouraging foreign investment in the United States, strengthening domestic production and increasing national industrial security. He also sees functions as a means of raising government income.

The March report showed that the trade deficit with Ireland increased $ 29.3 billion. North -American Pharmaceutical Companies, including Eli Lilly & Co. and Pfizer Inc.operate about two dozen factories in Ireland sending the United States, according to a TD Cowen Analysis. North -American imports of pharmaceutical preparations jumped by 71% in March to a $ 50.4 billion record.

Canada deficiency was reduced, while Mexico deficit remained near the record reached in February. The trade-commerce deficit with China was reduced.

In a way to inflation, the total deficit of the US merchandise trade was expanded to a record of $ 150.9 billion in March.

This story originally presented to Fortune.com

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