US Trade Deficit Narrows Slightly in September
The US trade deficit shrank slightly in September, falling by 0.6 percent. Imports rose by 1.2 percent to $426.6 billion, mainly driven by computers and accessories. Crude oil imports dropped by $1.3 billion, while strong exports and capital goods imports also played a part.
Context
Context: The trade deficit is the gap between what a country imports and what it exports, and a smaller gap can mean more exports or fewer imports. The US has long run this gap, so monthly figures draw wide attention.
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