US December trade deficit largest since 2012

[WASHINGTON] The US trade deficit in December widened sharply to its highest level since 2012 as imports rose despite a lower energy bill, which could see the fourth-quarter growth estimate revised down.

The Commerce Department said on Thursday the trade deficit jumped 17.1 per cent to US$46.6 billion, the largest since November 2012. It was the biggest per centage increase since July 2009.

November's shortfall on the trade balance was revised up to US$39.8 billion from a previously reported US$39.0 billion.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the trade deficit falling to US$38.0 billion. When adjusted for inflation, the deficit widened to US$54.7 billion from US$48.7 billion in November.

December's surprise surge in the trade gap suggested a downward revision to the fourth-quarter gross domestic product estimate. The government reported last week that GDP expanded at a 2.6 per cent annual rate, with trade estimated to have subtracted 1.02 percentage point from growth.

In December, imports rose 2.2 per cent to US$241.4 billion, with imports of non-petroleum products surging to a record high, a sign of strengthening in the domestic economy. It also reflected the strength of the US dollar.

Exports slipped 0.8 per cent to US$194.9 billion in December. Exports have been hurt by slowing growth in Asia and Europe, a strengthening dollar, as well as a labor dispute at US West Coast ports, which has been cited by some manufacturers as causing delays in the movement of goods.

Exports to Canada and Mexico - the main US trading partners - fell in December. In contrast, exports to Japan, China and the European Union rose in December.

The politically sensitive US-China trade deficit fell 5.5 per cent to US$28.3 billion.

REUTERS