Final answer:
The U.S. has maintained a relatively large trade deficit for over 20 years due to various factors such as domestic consumption, government spending, savings, exchange rates, and industry competitiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The trade deficit of the United States has been relatively large for over 20 years. In the 1960s to 1970s, the U.S. had mostly small trade surpluses, but starting in the 1980s, the trade deficit increased rapidly. This trend continued into the late 1990s and mid-2000s, with a decline in 2009 after the recession, and a partial rebound in 2010. The trade deficit remained stable thereafter. The reasons for the trade deficit can include various factors such as domestic consumption, government spending, level of savings, exchange rates, and the competitiveness of American industries.