Marketplace · Friday, September 4, 2026
The U.S. trade deficit expanded in July, reaching its largest gap in 16 months, largely due to a significant increase in shipments of computers and semiconductors. Some experts question the effectiveness of tariffs in reducing this deficit, while others point to data center construction as a potential mitigating factor.
“This final note on the way out today, here's one that got buried a bit this week. We got new trade numbers from July, and here they are. The US trade deficit grew to its biggest gap in 16 months, up more than 24% from June to July.”
“Shipments of computers, computer accessories, and semiconductors surged.”
“Some experts argue tariffs don't do a good job of actually reducing the trade deficit. Others say whether they do or not, data center construction will outway it all.”