Imports plummet in April as tariffs weigh on trade

WASHINGTON -- U.S. imports of foreign-made goods fell sharply in April compared with the previous month, as tariffs clamped down on global trade.

Much of the 16.3% drop from March reflected the fact that importers had rushed to bring many goods into the United States at the beginning of the year, before President Donald Trump could impose tariffs that would raise the price of foreign products. That resulted in a record surge in imports and in the trade deficit in the first three months of the year.

In April, Americans purchased fewer pharmaceuticals from Ireland and Switzerland; cellphones from China; and cars and auto parts from Mexico, Canada, Japan and South Korea, data from the Commerce Department and tracking by Moody’s Analytics showed.

U.S. factories and businesses also significa