US visible trade deficit narrows sharply

America's shortfall on trade in goods with the rest of the world narrowed sharply and unexpectedly last month.

According to the Department of Commerce, in seasonally adjusted terms, the visible trade deficit fell by 8.1% month-on-month to reach $84.6bn.

Economists had penciled in a shortfall of -$90bn.

Exports jumped by 2.8% over the month to reach $172.7bn, while imports were 1.0% lower at $257.3bn.

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