WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in October as imports fell faster than exports. The politically sensitive trade gap with China dropped.

Inaction on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico has been met with sharp criticism from Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, as well as President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON — China is lifting a five-year ban on U.S. poultry, a goodwill gesture at a time when the world’s two biggest economies are trying to finalize a tentative trade deal.

Canada will resume shipments of pork and beef to China, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, signaling the Asian nation has lifted an import ban imposed earlier this year.

The U.S. average retail price of diesel fell 0.2 cent to $3.062 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported Nov. 4.

The U.S. and China signaled progress in the first phase of a potential trade deal Nov. 1 after a call between top negotiators.

President Donald Trump still hopes to ink a trade accord with Xi Jinping next month, even after plans were thrown into question Oct. 30 when Chile canceled an upcoming summit where the two leaders planned to meet.

With U.S. grain exports expected to fall more than 20% in the 2019 crop year, Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., Bunge Ltd. and Cargill Inc. are making less money buying and selling crops.

The U.S. and China are close to finalizing sections of the first phase of a trade deal that President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping hope to sign at a summit in Chile next month, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said.

President Donald Trump said China has indicated that negotiations over an initial trade deal are advancing, raising expectations the nations’ leaders could sign an agreement at a meeting next month in Chile.