Ginny Kosoda

The Commerce Department says the U.S.

trade deficit rose in December, topping $70 billion, but for the whole year it declined to $901 billion.

That's down from $904 billion in 2024.

Companies were importing more foreign goods early in the year ahead of tariffs, then the trend moderated.

In December, U.S.

imports rose by 3.6 percent,

Exports declined 1.7%, though the Wall Street Journal says swings in international gold trading and imports of tech equipment impacted December's numbers.

Ginny Kosoda, Fox News.