The U.S. trade deficit in goods widened to a record high in December, likely as businesses front-loaded imports of industrial supplies and consumer goods in anticipation of broad tariffs from President Donald Trump's new administration.

The U.S. posted a record trade deficit in goods in 2024, spotlighting what is likely to be a constant eyesore under the second administration of President Trump, which is encouraging more domestic production.

The US merchandise-trade deficit widened in December to a record as the value of imports increased, highlighting a key issue that President Donald Trump aims to rectify in his second term.

The deterioration in the goods trade deficit reported by the Commerce Department on Wednesday raises the risk of a sharper slowdown in gross domestic product growth in the fourth quarter than economists had anticipated.