Some of the increase reflects growing economies in other countries. And it’s welcome news for U.S. factories, one economist says.

The dollar’s strong because the Federal Reserve’s been raising interest rates.

Imports fell more than exports.

The deficit shrank 6% in June on record exports. Sending liquefied natural gas to Europe played a part in that.

Global turmoil put a cap on U.S. exports, while the easing of supply chain snags allowed Americans to import more.

It’s a sign that Americans have money to spend on consumer goods and businesses are importing parts for things they’ll sell to consumers.

U.S. consumers could be buying more American products. Or just buying less of everything.

The causes? The trade war and a slowing global economy.

Tariffs on foreign-made imports to the U.S., and retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, are dragging down exports and imports.

The overall deficit getting bigger isn’t necessarily a bad thing, said Dan Ikenson, director of the Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute.