The US goods-trade deficit widened 11.5% in August 2026 to $132.6 billion from $118.9 billion in July, according to preliminary data. The shortfall was the largest since March 2025, when the deficit reached a record $158.7 billion, and exceeded economists' $115 billion forecast. Imports rose 5.5% to $336.1 billion, their highest level in 17 months, led by a 16.6% increase in industrial supplies, a 4% rise in capital goods tied to an AI infrastructure buildout, and a 5.5% increase in food imports. Consumer-goods imports fell 1.6%. Exports increased 1.9% to $203.4 billion, ending three consecutive months of declines, as industrial-supplies shipments rose 8.3%. Consumer-goods exports fell 10.5%, motor-vehicle and parts exports declined 6.9%, and food exports dropped 5.6%. Trade has reduced gross domestic product for three straight quarters, although rising wholesale and retail inventories could soften the impact on third-quarter growth.