After experiencing a significant decline in the previous month, reaching its lowest point since early 2009, the trade deficit escalated to $56.8 billion, marking a 94.6% rise from October. Notably, about one-third of this growth was attributed to the European Union, where the goods deficit expanded by $8.2 billion. Meanwhile, the goods deficit with China saw a slight reduction, decreasing by approximately $1 billion to $13.9 billion.

When compared to the previous year, the deficit from January to November amounted to $839.5 billion, reflecting a 4% increase from the same period in 2024.

This upward trend in the deficit challenges President Trump’s strategy of utilizing tariffs to address global trade imbalances. The White House had introduced what they called reciprocal tariffs in April 2025, using trade deficits with various nations as a primary factor for setting these duties.

The increase in the deficit counters Trump’s efforts to use tariffs to reduce imbalances around the globe. When announcing so-called reciprocal tariffs in April 2025, the White House used the level of trade deficits with varying countries as a baseline for determining the duties.

As the year went by, Trump softened his stance. A framework agreement between the U.S. and the EU in August put the tariff rate at 15% on most European goods and sought to stabilize relations between the two sides.

Clarification: The headline on this story was updated to clarify that it was the trade deficit that soared 94% in November.