The US trade deficit widened in December, capping a turbulent year of erratic tariff policy.
The goods and services trade gap expanded from the prior month to $70.3 billion, Commerce Department data showed Thursday. The shortfall culminated in a full-year deficit of $901.5 billion, still one of the largest in data back to 1960.
“After all the tariff headlines and swings in the data, the trade deficit barely budged in 2025,” Nationwide Financial Market Economist Oren Klachkin said in a note. “With the peak tariff drag now likely behind us, we expect trade to settle into a more predictable rhythm.” ...
