WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit widened more than expected in August, driven by a surge in imports of goods amid robust domestic demand, keeping trade on track to again subtract from economic growth in the third quarter. The trade shortfall increased 13.7 percent to $105.6 billion, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau said on Tuesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the deficit would be $102.0 billion. The deterioration was flagged by data last week that showed an import-driven surge in the goods trade deficit in August. Domestic demand increased at its fastest pace in more than three and a half years in the second quarter, reflecting robust consumer spending and business spending on equipment, mostly related to AI. The trend appears to have spilled over into the third quarter, with data last month showing strong consumer spending in August as well as orders and shipments of nondefense capital goods, excluding aircraft. But businesses are relying on imports to meet demand. The increase in imports also has occurred despite President Donal