US trade deficit rises to highest level since January

WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit rose in April to the highest level since January. The politically sensitive trade gap with China registered a sharp increase.

The Commerce Department said Friday that the U.S. trade gap in goods and services climbed 5.2 per cent to $47.6 billion in April from March. Exports dropped 0.3 per cent to $191 billion, pulled down by a drop in automotive exports. Imports rose 0.8 per cent to $238.6 billion as Americans bought more foreign-made cellphones and other consumer goods.

A widening trade deficit is a drag on economic growth. Donald Trump made the trade gap — the difference between exports and imports — a centerpiece of his presidential campaign. His administration has vowed to reduce the deficit, blaming it on abusive practices by America’s trading partners.

The deficit in goods with China rose by 12.4 per cent to $27.6 billion in April.