The US trade deficit contracted slightly in September, government data there showed on Wednesday, hovering close to its widest since March 2025, driven by capital and consumer goods imports and strong exports.

The trade gap in the world's largest economy decreased by 0.6 percent to US$105 billion, according to data from the US Commerce Department.

This was below the US$107.7 billion projected in a consensus forecast released on Marketwatch.

US trade flows have swung significantly since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, as businesses rushed to get ahead of his sweeping and fast changing tariffs on trading partners.

In September, US imports rose by 1.2 percent to US$426.6 billion, driven by computers and their accessories. Crude oil imports decreased by US$1.3 billion.

US exports climbed by 1.8 percent to US$321.5 billion, with oil, food and overall capital goods contributing to the increase.


Edited by Aaron Tam