US trade deficit widens to two-year high on imports

FILE - Avianca Cargo employees unload flower crates from a plane at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, on Feb. 12, 2024. The U.S. trade deficit in July expanded to its largest since mid-2022, according to government data released on Sept. 4, 2024.

The U.S. trade deficit widened to the highest level in more than two years in July as businesses likely front-loaded imports in anticipation of higher tariffs on goods, suggesting trade could remain a drag on economic growth in the third quarter.