The United States Bureau of Economic Analysis reported real gross domestic product decreased at an annual rate of 0.3% in 2025’s first quarter.
In the 2024 fourth quarter, the bureau’s real GDP reading increased 2.4%.
The first quarter decrease in real GDP reflected an increase in imports, which many companies ramped up in anticipation of tariffs. Imports subtract from BEA’s calculation of GDP. A decrease in government spending also dragged down the real GDP metric. Increases in investment, consumer spending and exports partially offset the downward trend, BEA noted as part of its advanced real GDP estimate.
