The U.S. trade deficit climbed to $56.6 billion in February, the highest level since October 2008, according to CNBC.
The total trade deficit was $53.1 billion in December 2017 and $55.1 billion in January. The trade deficit with China grew 16.7 percent to $36 billion in February, its highest level since September 2015. Exports to China fell by 28.1 percent while imports rose by 2.9 percent.
President Donald Trump's recent proposal to raise import tariffs to 25 percent for steel and 10 percent for aluminum caused concern among some economists about an international trade war, though President Trump said the measures will help lower the national trade deficit.