WASHINGTON: The trade deficit rose in February to the highest level in six months as the growth in imports outpaced a modest rise in exports.
The Department of Commerce said the trade gap widened to US$47.1 billion, up 2.6 percent from a January imbalance of US$45.9 billion.
Exports increased 1 percent to US$178.1 billion, boosted by increased sales of US-made autos. Imports were up 1.3 percent to US$225.1 billion, despite a drop in oil imports which fell to the lowest level in 13 years.