US trade deficit narrows in June as imports fall, China re‑enters top deficit partners

The United States recorded a trade deficit of $73.3 billion in June, a modest improvement from $77.6 billion the month before, driven mainly by a 3.9 billion‑dollar reduction in the goods deficit while services continued to generate a surplus. The decline reflects weaker imports of investment goods, especially computer equipment and pharmaceuticals, and lower energy prices that reduced hydrocarbon export revenues.

China re‑appeared among the three countries with the largest US trade deficits, posting a $15.3 billion shortfall, while Vietnam and Mexico also featured prominently. In the first half of the year, Mexico slipped to the third‑largest deficit partner behind Vietnam and Taiwan, with US imports from Mexico rising 13 % but overall US imports falling 1.1 %. Purchases from six Asian economies grew 47 % as the US market contracted, highlighting a broader shift toward Asian suppliers.

These data underscore a re‑balancing of US trade flows, with Asian economies gaining share while traditional partners such as the European Union remain relatively stable.