U.S. Trade Deficit Narrowed To $50.1 Billion

The U.S. trade deficit shrunk in April after a big drop in imports offset the first decline in U.S. exports in five months.

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. trade deficit shrunk in April after a big drop in imports offset the first decline in U.S. exports in five months.

The Commerce Department says the trade deficit narrowed 4.9 percent in April to $50.1 billion.

U.S. exports, which had hit a record the previous month, fell 0.8 percent to $182.9 billion. Sales of everything from commercial jetliners to industrial machinery declined.

Imports, which also set a record in March, dropped an even faster 1.7 percent to $233 billion.

The slip in exports is troublesome because it shows the weaker global economy is dampening demand for American-made goods. Sales declined to Europe, China and Brazil.

 

AP

   

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