The US trade deficit narrowed more than anticipated in August as imports fell, government data showed Wednesday, in a report that was delayed by a record government shutdown ending only last week.The 43-day stoppage had paused publications of federal economic data ranging from inflation numbers to retail sales, although reports are starting to trickle out again -- with key September employment figures due Thursday.In August, the overall US trade deficit narrowed more than analysts expected, reaching $59.6 billion on a notable drop in goods imports.Imports declined 5.1 percent to $340.4 billion, with goods imports decreasing $18.6 billion. Among sectors that saw pullbacks were industrial supplies and materials, alongside consumer goods.Exports edged up 0.1 percent to $280.8 billion due to an uptick in services, but the value of goods exports similarly fell.Trade flows this year have been heavily swayed this year by President Donald Trump's fast-changing tariff policies, with importers rushing to stock up on inventory ahead of planned hikes in duties.Since returning to the presidency, Trump has imposed fresh duties on various economies, including a so-called "reciprocal" tariffs on virtually all US trading partners over practices that Washington deems unfair.Trump also engaged in a tit-for-tat tariffs escalation with China, the world's second biggest economy, with rates reaching prohibitive triple-digit levels in April -- snarling trade.Among countries, the US goods deficit with Canada shrank in August, as did that with China.
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