Trade deficit soared 94% in November and was higher than a year ago, despite tariff efforts

The trade deficit between the U.S. and its global trading partners nearly doubled in November, according to data from the Census Bureau. This increase was largely driven by a significant rise in the deficit with the European Union, as well as the ongoing impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the economy.

After reaching its lowest level in over a decade in the previous month, the trade deficit surged to $56.8 billion in November, marking a 94.6% increase from October. A substantial portion of this increase came from the European Union, where the goods deficit rose by $8.2 billion. In contrast, the goods deficit with China actually decreased by approximately $1 billion to $13.9 billion.

On a year-over-year basis, the trade deficit through November totaled $839.5 billion, representing a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This rise in the deficit comes despite President Trump’s efforts to address trade imbalances through the use of tariffs. In April 2025, the White House implemented reciprocal tariffs based on the level of trade deficits with various countries.

However, as the year progressed, Trump adopted a more conciliatory approach. An agreement reached between the U.S. and the EU in August set the tariff rate at 15% for most European goods and aimed to stabilize relations between the two trading partners.

It is evident that the trade deficit remains a significant challenge for the U.S. economy, despite efforts to address it through trade policies. The data underscores the complex nature of global trade relationships and the ongoing impact of tariffs on international commerce.