WASHINGTON — The U.S. international trade deficit declined by $2.5 billion to $44 billion in September on lower imports, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.
The deficit in August was revised higher to $46.5 billion from the $46.3 billion reported last month.
Economists expected the trade deficit would increase to $45.4 billion for the month, according to the median estimate from Thomson Reuters.
September exports of goods and services increased by $500 million, or 0.3%.
That was the highest level since August 2008.
