The U.S. trade deficit marked a record-breaking decline in April, as a barrage of steep new tariffs muted the rush of imports that had preceded the new trade barriers. U.S. imports f

Americans bought fewer foreign pharmaceuticals, cellphones and cars, and cut purchases of machinery and other supplies.

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed sharply in April, with imports decreasing by the most on record as the front-running of goods ahead of tariffs ebbed, which could provide a lift to economic growth this quarter.