The rise came with an increase in imports, especially products related to technology and artificial intelligence, compared to a decline in exports.
US exports decreased 2.1 percent to $310.7 billion, particularly affected by a decline in exports of industrial supplies, including crude oil and gold.
In contrast, imports rose 2.8 percent to $399.3 billion, driven by increased imports of computers, components and semiconductors.
US trade has been witnessing fluctuations since last year, in light of the extensive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on goods from US allies and competitors.
Companies rushed to increase their imports before new batches of fees came into effect, while after the US Supreme Court’s decision in February to cancel a large group of global fees imposed by Trump, they sought to recover the money they had previously paid under those fees.
Trade movement was also affected by the repercussions of the war in the Middle East, with Iran almost completely closing the Strait of Hormuz, which is a major corridor for global trade and energy shipments.
