US trade deficit widens to 40.2 billion dollars

The US trade deficit widened sharply in December to 40.2 billion dollars, capping a year that saw a massive drop in the trade gap, government data showed Wednesday.

The Commerce Department reported total US exports of goods and services of 142.7 billion dollars and total imports of 182.9 billion dollars.

The trade gap mushroomed to 40.2 billion dollars after a revised 36.4 billion dollars in November.

For the full year, the US trade imbalance with the rest of the world improved impressively. (more)