U.S. container imports surged in April as companies raced to avoid President Donald Trump's tariffs, which now include a 145% duty on goods from China, but executives at the country's two busiest ports said the trend looked set to reverse in May.

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services soared to a record $140.5 billion in March. Year-to-date, the deficit has increased 92.6%, as companies and consumers rush to import goods before President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs increase on July 6.

The U.S. international trade deficit, including goods and services, widened 14% in March to a record seasonally-adjusted $140.5 billion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, as companies rushed to import foreign products ahead of White House tariffs.