Trade Deficit Swells as Oil Imports Climb

The U.S. trade deficit rose to $56.96 billion in April as a big jump in exports was swamped by record foreign oil prices and heavy American demand for imports.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that both exports and imports climbed to record levels. Imports rose 4.1 percent to $163.38 billion, led by a higher foreign oil bill.

Exports were up 3 percent to $106.42 billion, thanks to strong demand for American-made commercial aircraft, computer chips, industrial machinery and cars.

The April deficit, which was the fourth largest on record, was up a sharp 6.3 percent from a revised trade gap of $53.56 billion in March, which had been an improvement from February’s record $60.12 billion deficit.
ABC News