US trade deficit widens to $70.3 billion in December as exports fall; jobless claims drop sharply

The US commerce deficit widened sharply in December as exports declined and imports rose, whilst contemporary information confirmed the labour market stays broadly steady.

In line with the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Financial Evaluation, the products and companies commerce deficit elevated to $70.3 billion in December, up $17.3 billion from November — a 32.6 per cent rise.

Exports fell 1.7 per cent to $287.3 billion in December, down $5.0 billion from the earlier month. Items exports dropped $5.5 billion to $180.8 billion, weighed down by a pointy fall in industrial provides and supplies, significantly nonmonetary gold, which declined by $7.1 billion.

Nevertheless, some sectors posted beneficial properties. Capital items exports rose $2.5 billion, supported by a $0.9 billion improve in semiconductor shipments. Shopper items exports climbed $1.8 billion, led by pharmaceutical preparations.

Imports, in the meantime, rose 3.6 per cent to $357.6 billion, rising by $12.3 billion from November. The rise was pushed by larger inflows of products, pushing the products deficit as much as $99.3 billion. The companies surplus narrowed to $29.0 billion.

For the complete yr 2025, the US items and companies deficit stood at $901.5 billion, marginally decrease than the $903.5 billion recorded in 2024. Annual exports elevated 6.2 per cent to $3.43 trillion, whereas imports rose 4.8 per cent to $4.33 trillion.

Separate information from the Labor Division confirmed preliminary claims for state unemployment advantages fell by 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 206,000 for the week ended February 14. Economists had forecast 225,000 claims.

The decline in claims suggests the labour market is stabilising after a short uptick in late January. Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January assembly indicated that the majority policymakers consider labour circumstances are exhibiting indicators of stabilisation, although dangers stay if labour demand weakens additional.

The most recent figures current a combined financial image: a resilient labour market alongside a widening commerce hole that might weigh on first-quarter progress.