The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced yesterday that the goods and services deficit was $70.3 billion in December, up $17.3 billion from $53.0 billion in November, revised. December exports were $287.3 billion, $5.0 billion less than November exports. December imports were $357.6 billion, $12.3 billion more than November imports. The December increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $15.7 billion to $99.3 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $1.6 billion to $29.0 billion. U.S. manufacturing shed ~72,000 jobs since Trump announced his alleged Liberation Day tariffs last April, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
“The U.S. trade deficit for goods hit a record in 2025 despite Trump’s claim his signature tariffs would reduce it, new data shows. Trump declared the country’s goods trade deficit a national emergency last year and pledged to shrink it as part of efforts to revive U.S. manufacturing. Yesterday’s numbers add to previous data suggesting U.S. companies have generally not brought production back home—all while Trump’s tariff policy is being challenged in a Supreme Court ca se,” The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) said. [The U.S. Supreme Court today in a 6-3 ruling said tariffs that Trump imposed under an emergency powers law were unconstitutional. This also covers so-called “reciprocal” tariffs that he levied. – AutoCrat]













Nissan Rogue Recall for Engine Failures and Fires
Nissan North America (7201T and NSANY ADR) is recalling ~324,00 model year 2023-2025 Rogue vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5-liter variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines.
“Increased temperatures can break down the engine oil, which may cause the engine bearings to seize and become damaged, leading to engine failure,” Nissan said in the required safety defect recall filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →