BUSINESS BRIEF
U.S. trade deficit widens while exports fall off
11/15/2013WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit widened in September as imports increased to the highest level in 10 months while exports slipped.
The deficit increased to $41.8 billion, up 8 percent from August, the Commerce Department said Thursday. It was the largest trade gap since May and marked the third straight month that the deficit has risen since hitting a four-year low in June.
Exports, which hit a record high in June, slipped for the third straight month, dipping 0.2 percent to $188.9 billion, with sales of commercial aircraft and autos both down. Imports rose 1.2 percent to $230.7 billion.
The deficit with China hit an all-time high of $30.5 billion.