U.S. Trade Deficit Rebounds to $56.8 Billion in November

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services rebounded to $56.8 billion in November, a 95 percent increase from the previous month, according to Commerce Department data released on Thursday. Exports fell 3.6 percent in the month, to $292.1 billion, while imports rose 5 percent, to $348.9 billion, a combination that pushed up the monthly trade deficit between what the United States imports and what it exports.

The data reflected volatility from President Trump’s tariffs, which have reordered trade flows. The October trade deficit had been the lowest monthly figure recorded since June 2009, but much of that drop reflected temporary fluctuations in products such as gold and pharmaceuticals.

Economists have cautioned against focusing on the trade deficit alone, noting it can move for many reasons and that last year was particularly volatile. In the early months of Mr. Trump’s presidency, companies rushed to bring goods into the country to avoid tariffs, causing spikes in imports and the deficit; after sweeping global tariffs were announced in April, shipments of imports fell back.

Pharmaceuticals and semiconductors have also seen surges and declines as tariffs were announced. Through November, the overall trade deficit was up 4.1 percent from the previous year; exports were 6.3 percent higher and imports were 5.8 percent higher.

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