Economists surveyed by Reuters had predicted that the commercial deficit would shoot at $ 96.6 billion from 78.2 billion dollars previously reported in November.
President Donald Trump suspended a 25% tariff on Monday about Mexican and Canadian goods until next month. On Tuesday an additional tax of 10% on goods from China entered into force.
The White House said the tariffs were to “hold Mexico, Canada and China hold on their promises to stop illegal immigration and stop the poisonous fentanyl and other drugs that flow to our country.”
Imports increased 3.5%, up to a historical maximum of 364.9 billion dollars. Exports fell 2.6%, to 266.5 billion dollars.
The early estimate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter published last week showed that trade had a surprisingly neutral impact on GDP, after being a ballast for three consecutive quarters.
The economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.3%, with most of the ballast from inventories, after expanding at a pace of 3.1% in the July-September quarter.
