U.S. Trade Gap Narrows To Lowest Since 2009

It was a November miracle, sort of. The gap between the nation’s imports and exports narrowed to $34.3 billion, the smallest in four years, thanks to increased overseas sales of U.S.-made motor vehicles, aircraft and machinery as well as greater domestic energy production, the Commerce Department reports today.

From October to November, the deficit fell nearly 13% with exports up 1% to  $195 billion while imports fell 1.4% to $229 billion. The bad news? A record level of imported autos, which was fortunately offset by decreased foreign oil demand. 

So far for 2013, the trade gap is 12.3% narrower than during the same period in 2012. 

The news has economists expressing optimism about U.S. economic outlook. BMO Capital Markets economist Jennifer Lee expects growth to exceed 2.4% for 2013, according to an Associated Press report.

"Growth should get a lift from trade in Q4," she told AP.

Read more: abcn.ws/1ddp4ME.