The U.S. current-account deficit widened to $246.0 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up from $212.6 billion in the first quarter, while it narrowed to $226.4 billion in the third quarter of 2025, down from $249.2 billion in the second quarter.
Why it matters. The changes in the current-account deficit affect the U.S. economy and its trade balance, influencing financial markets and policy decisions.
The U.S. current-account deficit resulting from international economic transactions widened by $33.
The U.S. current-account deficit resulting from international economic transactions widened by $33.4 billion, or 15.7 percent, to $246.0 billion in the second quarter of 2026, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The revised first-quarter deficit was $212.6 billion.
The $33.4 billion widening of the current-account deficit in the second quarter reflected an expanded deficit on goods that was partly offset by reduced deficits on primary (earned) income and on secondary income (current transfers).
The U.S. current-account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, narrowed by $22.8 billion, or 9.2 percent, to $226.4 billion in the third quarter of 2025, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The revised second-quarter deficit was $249.2 billio…
