US Commodity Trade Deficit Widened in August

The merchandise trade deficit widened in the United States in August, as imports rose as companies rebuild stocks that ran out when the coronavirus pandemic severely affected the flow of goods.

The US Commerce Department said the commodity trade deficit increased 3.5% to $ 82.9 billion last month. Merchandise imports rose 3.1% to 201.3 billion dollars, outpacing a 2.8% increase in merchandise exports, to 118.3 billion dollars.