You are conflating two issues — a trade imbalance with another nation, which can and does occur, but is 100% beneficial to both parties, and an overall trade deficit, which is impossible and cannot occur. If you want to know how and/or why not read Sowell, Williams, Friedman, etc.
It sounds like you are using semantics. A raw trade deficit is mathematically impossible, but you must know full well that when we use the term “trade deficity” it is conventionally accepted to mean a trade imbalance between nations.
So when we say the USA experienced a record “trade deficit” it simply means that the value of what we imported was at a record high against the value of what we exported.
I don’t know what phrase you would use for that concept, but it sounds to me like you are berating the use of a technically sloppy phrase rather than disagreeing with an economic concept.