The U.S. international trade in goods surged to a record deficit in March, as businesses and consumers rushed to lock down purchases before tariffs kicked in in early April. That exerts more drag on U.

The US merchandise-trade deficit unexpectedly widened in March to a record as companies continued importing goods to get ahead of tariffs, indicating a large hit to the economy in the first quarter.

The U.S. trade deficit in goods widened to a record high in March as businesses ramped up efforts to bring in merchandise ahead of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, suggesting trade was a large drag on economic growth in the first quarter.