The United States posted a record trade deficit in August
![The United States posted a record trade deficit in August The United States posted a record trade deficit in August](https://cdn-3.expansion.mx/dims4/default/b0ece48/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2121x1114%200%20150/resize/1200x630!/format/jpg/quality/80/?url=https://cdn-3.expansion.mx/2b/e5/3e99595b491fb68dc943da5b951b/istock-1227514308.jpg)
Adjusted for inflation, the goods trade deficit rose $1.9 billion to $101.8 billion in August. The report comes after government data last Friday showed that inflation reduced consumer spending in July, with a moderate recovery in August.
The Atlanta Federal Reserve expects GDP growth to slow to an annualized rate of 2.3% in the third quarter, compared to 6.7% in the second quarter.
Foreign trade reduced GDP growth for four consecutive quarters.
Goods imports rose 1.1% to $239.1 billion in August, led by consumer goods, but foreign purchases of industrial supplies and materials also grew.
However, imports of cars, parts and engines fell by $1.5 billion, as a result of the global shortage of semiconductors, hampering production.
Demand for goods remains strong, even as spending shifts to services, such as travel, as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Services imports rose $1.3 billion to $47.9 billion in August. Overall, imports rose 1.4% to $287 billion, the highest number ever.
Goods exports rose 0.7% to a record $149.7 billion. Shipments were driven by non-monetary industrial and physical supplies such as gold and natural gas, but overseas sales of cars, parts and engines plummeted, as well as capital goods.
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