WASHINGTON — The U.S. international trade gap widened to $53.2 billion in August from $50.0 billion in July.
Analysts had expected the gap to widen to $53.4 billion based on a slightly wider advance goods trade gap.
Exports fell on industrial supplies and materials, while imports rose on autos.
The trade gaps with China and Mexico both widened to record levels and remained ammunition for those in favor of further tariffs. The gaps with Canada and the EU both narrowed, but both were still wider than a year ago.
