U.S. Trade Gap Unexpectedly Widens Amid a Slump in Exports

The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly increased 7.7% to $42.3 billion, the largest since September 2013. Economists had predicted a fall to $38.5 billion.

Author:: Brittany Umar
Publish date:: Apr 3, 2014 11:19 AM EDT

The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly widened in February amid a slump in exports, according to the latest report by the Commerce Department. The trade gap increased 7.7% to $42.3 billion, the largest since September 2013. Economists had predicted a fall to $38.5 billion, according to Thomson Reuters. The rise in the deficit is being attributed to weak exports, which slipped 1.1% to $190.4 billion in February. As U.S. exports fell, U.S. imports rose 0.4% to about $232.7 billion.

Brittany joined TheStreet.com TV in November 2006 after completing a degree in Journalism and Media Studies at Rutgers College. Previously, Brittany interned at the local ABC affiliate in New York City WABC-TV 7 where she helped research and produce On Your Side, a popular consumer advocacy segment.