WASHINGTON: The United States trade deficit rose in December as American exports fell for a third consecutive month, reflecting the pressures of a stronger dollar and spreading global economic weakness.
Those factors contributed to the first annual drop in United States export sales since the Great Recession shrank global trade six years ago.
The December deficit increased 2.7 percent to $43.4 billion, the Commerce Department said on Friday. Exports fell 0.3 percent. Imports increased 0.3 percent as Americans bought more foreign-made cars and petroleum.
In 2015, the deficit rose 4.6 percent to $531.5 billion. Exports fell 4.8 percent, the first setback since 2009. Imports dropped 3.1 percent.