Economy

US trade deficit widens more than expected

The US trade deficit widened to $105.6 billion in August, above the expected $102.0 billion, up from a revised $92.8 billion in July.

Exports rose 1.4% to $315.2 billion, while imports jumped 4.3% to $420.8 billion. The goods deficit widened to $136.6 billion, while the services surplus stood at $31.0 billion.

For beginners The trade balance shows the difference between what a country sells abroad and buys from abroad; a growing deficit means more money is leaving the country for imports than it earns from exports, which can pressure the currency and feeds into GDP calculations.