US Trade Deficit Widens to Largest Since April on Higher Imports ========== The US trade deficit widened in January by 5.1% to $67.4 billion, the largest since April, driven by a pickup in the value of imports while exports were little changed, according to the Commerce Department. The value of imports rose 1.1% to the highest level in a year, led by capital goods and motor vehicles, while exports edged up 0.1%. The merchandise trade deficit, adjusted for inflation, increased to a three-month high of $86 billion in January. The outlook for trade is marked by various cross currents, including the progress companies made last year in getting inventories more in line with sales, which could lead to a pickup in demand for imports, and sluggish overseas economies that risk restraining US sales to overseas customers even as the dollar retreats from last year's high. #UsTradeDeficit #Imports #Exports #CommerceDepartment https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-07/us-trade-deficit-widens-to-largest-since-april-on-higher-imports