Economic Buzz: Australia records first trade deficit since 2017

Australia unexpectedly slipped into AUD 1.84 billion trade deficit in March 2026, the first since 2017, as exports declined and imports surged. Exports fell 2.7% due to weaker rural and gold shipments, while imports rose 14.1% to a record high, driven by strong demand for capital goods, including rapid growth in data-centre related investment and higher fuel purchases.

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