The U.S. trade deficit widened to a record high in March as businesses boosted imports of goods ahead of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, which dragged gross domestic product into negative territory in the first quarter for the first time in three years.

The U.S. trade deficit soared to a record high in March, as importers raced to bring in foreign goods before new tariffs kicked in. U.S. imports in March rose 4.4% to $419 billion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. trade deficit soared to a record $140.5 billion in March as consumers and businesses alike tried to get ahead of President Donald Trump’s latest and most sweeping tariffs.