The US trade deficit widened sharply in July to the largest since early 2025, reflecting a surge in imports of computers and other technology equipment. The gap in goods and services trade grew 24.4% from the prior month to $88.6 billion, Commerce Department data showed Thursday. The value of imports increased 2.8% and exports fell 2.1%.

Exporters face headwinds as the trade gap expands, driven by robust demand for technology equipment. Ships anchored off the Port of Long Beach underscore the volume of incoming goods. The data highlights the ongoing impact of the AI investment cycle on global trade flows, with technology imports leading the surge despite a decline in overall export value.