The country is feeling the effects of trade conflicts and global uncertainty.
Trade tensions between the United States and China continue to spur volatility.
Over the next five years, the U.S. will take aim at becoming the top oil exporter, the agency said.
President Trump's tariffs haven't closed the trade gap with China, which rose 11.6% to a record $419 billion in 2018.
The 9.5% monthly increase in the nominal U.S. trade deficit was the largest in three years.
Despite the March decline, the U.S. is still “on track to run another large trade gap in 2018 that exceeds the deficit in the prior year."
"They’re trying to wake up American legislators, who are the only ones in government who can influence the president on this issue."
"Team Trump really has their work cut out for them if they are going to stick with the campaign pledge to double growth."
The stronger dollar, larger federal budget deficits, and low national saving rates could force further widening in the trade deficit.
Growth eased from 3.5% in Q3 as a sharp drop in exports offset solid consumer spending and a pickup in business investment.
The trade gap was less than economists expected and, with exports improving, trade may contribute to GDP in the second quarter.
Economists see trade subtracting at least seven-tenths of a percentage point from GDP growth in the first quarter.
