After the election the prospect of tariffs resulted in changes in behavior by businesses and consumers. Those companies directly impacted by the coming higher cost of goods from tariffs responded by buying goods they would need later, but decided to make purchases in November, December, and January to beat expected price increases. Some consumers did the same thing. The net result is that the Trade deficit has soared since the election because the value of Imports zoomed while US Exports remained stable. The anticipatory buying literally pulled forward...
