Trade deficit is wider (up more than 10%) as March numbers were released today. -U.S. imports increased 4.5%.
-Record imports of consumer goods and food, feed and beverages.
-Although, exports rose 1.8%.
-U.S. exports to Canada, Germany & China set records
-Shipments to Japan were the highest since March '01.
-The U.S. also exported record amounts of advanced technology products such as computer, telecommunications, aerospace and electronic equipment.
-However, the U.S. trade deficit with China shrank 6.4% to $17.2 billion, as imports from that country were the lowest since May 2006.
-"Despite widening dramatically in March, the trade gap for the first quarter of the year totaled $180.7 billion, smaller than $191.6 billion in the same period last year when the annual deficit hit a record $765.3 billion."