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The U.S. trade deficit widened by $1.9 billion in October, reaching $42.2 billion. The trade deficit has tracked in a narrow range, from $40 to $43 billion, since June. Both exports and imports fell in October, with the decline in exports outpacing the fall in imports. It is not surprising that both imports and exports fell in October, as Hurricane Sandy shut down many ports in the Northeast.



Exports fell 3.6% in October, reaching $180.5 billion, their lowest level since February. Imports fell in February as well, but by a more modest 2.1%, reaching $222.8 billion.

The real good’s deficit, which has a direct impact on GDP, shrank slightly in October to $46.2 billion. The European crisis has widened the U.S trade gap, as Europeans import fewer goods due to slowing economic activity.

Read the Census report.

In November the trade deficit unexpectedly widened to its largest level since April due to a surge in imports. The November trade gap widened to $48.7 billion from 42.1 billion. The trade gap has remained under $43 billion for the past five months prior to November’s jump.



A small rise in exports was not enough to offset the surge of imports seen in November that pushed the deficit wider. Exports rose 1.0% in November to $183 billion. Imports, however surged 3.8% rising to $231 billion.

The real goods deficit, which is important for the calculation of GDP, rose 12.8% to $51.9 billion.

Read the Census report.