The U.S. trade deficit in goods has hit a new record high, as the trade gap widened significantly in December, ending the year nearly identical to previous trends. Despite claims from former President Trump of a substantial decline in the trade deficit due to his tariff policies, the deficit totaled approximately $901 billion, marking one of the largest annual trade gaps since 1960. Imports surged, while exports declined, complicating the narrative around the effectiveness of these tariffs. The latest data reveals that the trade deficit expanded sharply, with Trump asserting that tariffs would reduce the imbalance, even as the reality shows an increase in the trade gap. The year concluded with notable economic figures, including a record total for U.S. international trade, raising questions about the impact of current trade policies.