The US trade deficit in goods narrowed in April, with a large rise in exports more than offset by an increase in imports, a trend that, if it continues, could lead to trade contributing to economic growth during the second quarter.

The Statistics Office of the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday that the trade deficit in goods fell by 3.4% to $82.4 billion last month.


Economists polled by Reuters had expected the trade deficit in goods to reach $86.5 billion.

Goods exports rose by $8.5 billion to $219.7 billion. Imports of goods increased by $5.6 billion to $302.1 billion.

The trade deficit reduced GDP by 1.25% in the first quarter. The economy grew at an annual rate of 1.6% in the last quarter after growing at a rate of 0.5% in the fourth quarter of last year, which extended from October to December.

Last March, the US trade deficit in goods widened more than expected due to imports outperforming exports, which indicates that trade likely formed a pressure factor on economic growth in the first quarter.

The Statistics Office of the Ministry of Commerce said last April that the trade deficit in goods rose 5.3% to $87.9 billion last month, while economists polled by Reuters expected the trade deficit in goods to reach $86.95 billion, and this deficit had reached $83.5 billion in February.