Tariffs Have Slowed Some Imports, But This Category Is Up Sharply

Core Insights - Tariffs are negatively impacting imports across various industries, but the computer equipment sector is experiencing significant growth due to the AI boom [2][5] - Total U.S. imports increased by 6% in July, largely driven by investments in data centers to support AI [2][3] - The overall U.S. trade deficit rose by nearly 33% to $78.3 billion, influenced by a surge in computer imports [3] Import Trends - High-tech imports have risen by 34% year-over-year through July, with computer shipments increasing by 65% and computer accessories by 50% in July alone [4][5] - Capital goods imports related to AI and data centers are resilient, while imports of other products subject to tariffs have declined significantly [3][6] - Civilian aircraft imports fell by 30%, machinery by 21%, trucks by 13%, and cars by 11% year-over-year in July [7] Economic Projections - Goldman Sachs forecasts that the five largest U.S. tech companies will spend $736 billion on capital goods, including computer equipment, in 2025 and 2026 [6] - Overall capital goods imports have increased by 15% this year, contrasting with an 11% decline in all other imports [6]