WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit shrank in April, but the politically sensitive deficit with China moved higher. Exports fell 2.2% to $206.8 billion on a big drop in orders for civilian aircraft, a category that is often volatile. The deficit in the trade of goods with China rose 29.7% to $26.9 billion. President Donald Trump has sought to reduce America’s persistent trade deficit, which he sees as a sign of economic weakness and the result of bad trade agreements crafted by naive U.S. negotiators. Mainstream economists say the trade gap is the product of an enduring economic factor that doesn’t respond much to changes in trade policy: Americans buy more than they produce, and imports fill the gap.

Source: thestar June 06, 2019 12:43 UTC