Trade Deficit Hits 106 Billion Dollars Despite Tariffs, Per Fortune

“The tariffs were supposed to shrink the gap, Hank. Instead it's grown like a mold colony in a bunker fridge. Delightful.” — Dale Bearman, on air

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on The Recap
Published 7:45 PM ET, Wednesday, October 7, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Fortune: “Trump’s tariffs were meant to shrink the trade deficit—but the $106 billion gap just reached its widest since before ‘Liberation Day’”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 7:45 PM ET on The Recap, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: Trump.

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

FortuneTrump’s tariffs were meant to shrink the trade deficit—but the $106 billion gap just reached its widest since before ‘Liberation Day’

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFortune reports the trade deficit widened to one hundred six billion dollars, its widest since before Liberation Day.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEconomists call it a sign of a resilient economy.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe tariffs were supposed to shrink the gap, Hank. Instead it's grown like a mold colony in a bunker fridge. Delightful.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorResilient, Dale. Americans are buying things. You'd know that if you ever left the house for something besides tea bags.