U.S. imports surged to record heights as consumers stocked up ahead of tariffs [View all]

Source: USA Today

Published 5:04 a.m. ET April 1, 2025 | Updated 11:10 a.m. ET April 1, 2025


The U.S. imported more goods in January than in any other month since the government started tracking the data as people raced to stock up ahead of President Donald Trump’s announced tariffs.

The import surge was driven by sharp increases from the United States’ three largest trading partners, China, Canada and Mexico, according to a USA TODAY analysis of recently released U.S. Census trade data. Together, those nations provide nearly half of the foreign goods consumed in the U.S., and they are key targets of tariffs that took effect last month. More tariffs, including a 25% tariff on autos and auto parts, are scheduled to begin April 2.



“People are trying to get imports into the country before the tariffs go on,” said Marcus Noland, executive vice president and director of studies at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a think tank based in Washington, D.C.

“People were hedging their bets.”

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/04/01/record-high-imports-trump-tariffs/82671307007/