The US trade deficit, which is seeking to reduce President Donald Trump by implementing aggressive protection measures, broke a new record in March, according to official figures released today.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the trade balance recorded a deficit of $ 140.5 billion, which was increased by 14% in a month.

Analysts expected that the commercial deficit would be at a lower level of around -137 billion dollars, based on Marketwatch estimates.

Imports of goods recorded jumping at $ 419 billion, suggesting that companies have continued to increase their stocks to to prevent the implementation of duties that had been announced by the Republican president. Trump had warned that he would announce “reciprocal” duties on April 2. The range of these new, additional duties announced that day and involved almost all imported products, exceeded any expectations. Trump then took some steps back to all countries except China.

The increase in imports already had significant consequences for US GDP in the first quarter, which according to a first estimate fell 0.3%on an annual basis.