Archive · 7 Oct 2026
U.S. Trade Deficit Widens as Data-Center Imports Surge
The United States bought more goods and services from other countries in August than it sold to them.
That made the trade gap 14% bigger than it was in July.
The gap was about $106 billion, the largest since March 2025.
Imports of oil, gold and computer chips increased.
The growth of data centers has also helped drive demand for chips and computers from abroad.
Exports went up too, but not as quickly as imports.
The goods-only trade gap was about $137 billion in August.
Morgan Stanley expects worldwide demand for data-center capacity to keep growing, reaching 86 gigawatts in 2028.
The U.S. goods-and-services trade deficit widened 14% in August from July to about $106 billion, its highest level since March 2025.
Imports of crude oil, gold and semiconductors increased, while exports also grew but more slowly than imports.
Imports of semiconductors, computers and computer accessories were up $234 billion in the first eight months of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.
The goods trade deficit was about $137 billion in August; over the first eight months, it was about $110 billion smaller than in the same period in 2025, according to the article.
Morgan Stanley forecasts global data-center capacity demand will reach 86 gigawatts in 2028.
- Who
- The United States and its trading partners.
- What
- The U.S. trade deficit widened in August as imports grew faster than exports.
- When
- August; the report compares the figures with July and the same period a year earlier.
- Where
- The United States and its international trade.
- Why
- Imports increased, including semiconductors and computer equipment amid the data-center build-out.
- August goods-and-services trade deficit
- About $106 billion, seasonally adjusted
- Change from July
- Widened 14%
- Highest level since
- March 2025
- August goods trade deficit
- About $137 billion
- Data-center-related imports
- Semiconductors, computers and computer accessories were up $234 billion in the first eight months of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.
- Forecast data-center demand
- Global capacity demand is expected to reach 86 gigawatts in 2028, according to Morgan Stanley.