Uh, Trump? U.S. trade deficit widened to $72.1 billion in April as exports fell 4.2%

The United States deficit widened, despite President Donald Trump and his administration engaging in trade spats with any counter that has a surplus with Washington.

According to Census Bureau data, the U.S. trade deficit in goods expanded in April to a seasonally-adjusted $72.1 billion, up from $71.9 billion in March.

Exports declined by 4.2 percent, driven primarily by the 7.2 percent plunge in auto exports and the 6.5 percent decline in capital-goods exports. Imports slipped by 2.7 percent.

Last month, retail inventories climbed by 0.5 percent and wholesale stockpiles jumped 0.7 percent.

Not that trade deficits are a bad thing, but isn’t the whole point of tariffs is to slash the trade deficit?