WASHINGTON – The international trade deficit increased 10.4% in December to $40.2 billion, well above economists' estimates, the Commerce Department reported today.
The November deficit was unrevised at $36.4 billion.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a $35.8 billion trade deficit for the month.
Exports increased in December by $4.6 billion to $142.7 billion and were driven higher by an increase in capital goods, industrial supplies and autos shipped overseas.
Imports increased by $8.4 billion to $182.9 billion on demand for industrial supplies, autos and capital goods.
In all of 2009, the goods and services deficit decreased by $1.7 billion. For the year, exports increased $9.8 billion, or 7.4% and imports increased $8.1 billion, or 4.6%.
