US budget deficit blasts past $1 trillion in August

WASHINGTON: The US budget gap soared past $1 trillion with a month still to go in the fiscal year — the first time it has surpassed that level since 2009, the US Treasury reported Thursday.

One standout item in the government books was the surge in tariffs collected compared to last year — something President Donald Trump has long touted as proof he is winning the trade war with China, even though the duties are paid by American companies.

The US deficit in the 11 months through August topped $1 trillion, 19 percent higher than the same period of the previous year, as spending increased by more than double the rate of income, according to the monthly report. The US fiscal year used for budgeting ends September 30.

Customs duties going into government coffers surged 73 percent to $66 billion, however, Trump has imposed a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods that are set to hit on September 1.

Total revenues were up three percent in the fiscal year-to-date, at over $3 trillion, but total outlays increased seven percent compared to a year ago, passing $4.15 trillion.