A new Commerce Department report shows that the U.S.goods trade deficit expanded significantly in June, challenging one of former President Donald Trump’s long-standing economic promises to reduce it through tariffs and trade policy.According to the data, the goods trade deficit widened to $105.8 billion, marking a 27.4% increase from the previous month and reaching its highest level in more than a year.The report also found that U.S.exports fell by 5.4% compared to May, while imports rose by 3.6%, further contributing to the widening imbalance.

The trade figures come amid Trump’s continued emphasis on tariffs, particularly his so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” which were intended to address what he has described as unfair global trade practices contributing to persistent U.S.deficits.

However, the latest data suggests that these measures have not yet achieved the intended effect and may even be associated with a worsening trade gap.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast a smaller deficit of around $85 billion, making the actual figure significantly higher than expectations.

The report also noted that imports of consumer goods reached their highest level in six months, indicating sustained domestic demand despite higher prices.A separate economic report showed that U.S.consumer spending increased in May even as inflation accelerated at its fastest pace in more than three years, adding further complexity to the economic picture.

Overall, the findings highlight ongoing tensions between trade policy goals and real-world economic outcomes, with the widening deficit suggesting that structural and demand-driven factors continue to outweigh the impact of tariff-based strategies.