WASHINGTON– India remained among the United States’ key trading partners in November as the U.S. trade deficit widened sharply, driven by rising imports and a decline in exports, according to official government data released Thursday.
Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the U.S. goods and services trade deficit expanded to $56.8 billion in November, nearly doubling from a revised $29.2 billion in October. A trade deficit occurs when a country imports more goods and services than it exports.
During the month, the United States posted a goods trade deficit of $4.4 billion with India, placing it among the countries with which Washington recorded notable trade gaps.
Overall, U.S. exports fell to $292.1 billion in November, while imports climbed to $348.9 billion, pushing the deficit higher. Government officials said the increase was largely driven by trade in goods, even as the United States continued to record a surplus in services.
Mexico accounted for the largest U.S. goods trade deficit in November at $17.8 billion, followed by Vietnam at $16.2 billion, Taiwan at $15.6 billion, China at $14.7 billion, and the European Union at $14.5 billion. Among major economies, the deficit with Germany totaled $7.4 billion. In Asia, the United States recorded goods trade deficits of $4.7 billion with Japan and $4.4 billion with India. South Korea at $3.7 billion and France at $3.6 billion rounded out the top ten.
At the same time, the United States posted goods trade surpluses with several partners, meaning exports exceeded imports. The largest surpluses were recorded with Switzerland at $7.8 billion, the Netherlands at $5.6 billion, South and Central America at $5.1 billion, and the United Kingdom at $4.2 billion. Smaller surpluses were reported with Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia.
The report showed that goods exports declined in November, largely due to reduced shipments of industrial supplies, precious metals, crude oil, and consumer goods, including pharmaceuticals. Exports of services rose slightly, supported by travel, intellectual property charges, and business services.
On the import side, consumer goods imports increased sharply, including pharmaceuticals, while capital goods imports also rose, led by computers and semiconductors. Imports of services edged lower, mainly because of reduced travel-related spending.
For the year-to-date period from January through November, the U.S. goods and services trade deficit increased by $32.9 billion, or 4.1 percent, compared with the same period a year earlier. Over that span, both exports and imports grew, though imports rose at a faster pace.
The next U.S. trade report, covering December data and full-year figures for 2025, is scheduled for release on Feb. 19, 2026.
Trade ties between India and the United States have expanded steadily in recent years, spanning goods such as pharmaceuticals and industrial products, as well as services including information technology and business outsourcing.
U.S. trade data are closely watched in India as an indicator of export demand, global economic conditions, and trends in one of the country’s most important overseas markets. (Source: IANS)
