U.S. Trade Deficit Widens, Commerce Says

The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />U.S. trade deficit expanded in April for the second straight month following seven declines, as exports dropped to the lowest level in almost three years, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The gap between imports and exports rose 2.2% to $29.2 billion, Commerce said.

Economists had forecast the deficit would rise to $29 billion, Bloomberg said.

Exports fell 2.3% to $121.6 billion, the lowest level since August 2006. Imports fell 1.4% to $150.3 billion, the lowest since September 2004.