WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit narrowed slightly in June as imports fell more than exports, providing some relief to a gap that has remained elevated despite the Trump administration's efforts to reduce foreign purchases through tariffs.
The goods and services trade deficit fell 5.6% to $73.3 billion in June from $77.6 billion in May, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau said on Aug. 4. Imports declined 1.8% to $388.0 billion, while exports fell 0.9% to $314.7 billion.
The reduction was driven primarily by lower goods imports. Imports of goods fell 2.5% to $309.0 billion, including a $2.1 billion decline in capital goods that reflected a $3.0 billion drop in computer imports, according to the data.
Despite the monthly decline, computer imports have surged this year. They were $95.4 billion higher through June than during the same period in 2025, highlighting the strong demand for equipment used in artificial-intelligence infrastructure.
Goods exports fell 1.9% to $206.9 billion, weighed down by a $3.3 billion decline in industrial supplies and materials. Crude oil exports dropped $5.7 billion as average crude prices declined to $95.82 a barrel in June from $107.82 in May.
Services trade provided some offset. Services exports increased $1.1 billion to $107.8 billion, supported by financial and trade services, while services imports rose $0.6 billion to $79.0 billion. The services surplus therefore remained an important counterweight to the large deficit in goods.
The June figures came after a sharp increase in the trade deficit in May, when imports rose as businesses and consumers brought in more goods. The May deficit had climbed from a revised $54.6 billion in April.
The trade balance has also become an important factor in assessing economic growth. Government estimates released with second-quarter economic data showed that net exports subtracted about a percentage point from gross domestic product growth in the April-June period. The economy grew at a 1.5% annualized rate in the second quarter.
The United States continued to record goods trade deficits with a broad range of trading partners in June. The deficit with China widened to $15.3 billion from $14.5 billion in May, while the United States recorded its largest-ever monthly goods deficits with Mexico, Vietnam and South Korea, according to the data.
The Census Bureau and BEA are scheduled to release the July international trade figures on Sept. 3.
